India whitewash Thisara Perera-led Sri Lanka

India completed a series whitewash over Sri Lanka with a narrow five-wicket victory in the third and final Twenty20 international in Mumbai last night.

The hosts overcame a mid-innings collapse to chase 136 with four balls remaining courtesy of late cameos from MS Dhoni and Dinesh Karthik.

India skipper Rohit Sharma won the toss and saw his attack justify his decision by restricting the Lankans to 135-7. Jaydev Unadkat and Hardik Pandya both took two wickets while debutant spinner Washington Sundar, the youngest player to represent India in a T20, returned impressive figures of 1-22 from four overs.

Sri Lanka were soon in trouble at 18-3 and needed 36 from Asela Gunaratne and Dasun Shanaka’s unbeaten 24-ball 29 to post a total that could challenge India. Gunaratne and Sadeera Samarawickrama combined for a brief counter-attack which started with an 11-run over off Mohamed Siraj. Their 38-run collaboration, however, was cut short, with Pandya getting rid of Samarawickrama for 21.

Sri Lanka managed to slam 18 runs in the last over, with Shanaka, who hit two sixes, and Akila Danajaya taking Siraj to the cleaners. It was enough for a good tussle, but not a win.