SL vs Ind, 3rd T20I – Washington Sundar ‘knew I had to bowl a Super Over’

But with Kusal Perera still available, skipper Suryakumar Yadav went for Rinku Singh, who had never featured in a T20 international. It worked very well – Perera first hit a poor cross shot, which Rinku himself could get under. Later, Ramesh Mendis also went outside, to deep midwicket.

After watching Rinku concede only three runs and get two wickets under pressure, Suryakumar decided to bowl his offspin in the last over, taking two more wickets himself, and conceding just five to win the match.

“It was amazing for Surya and his leadership skills,” Washington said. “I think he felt that if he bowled a lot of spinners we would have a good chance of winning the game. Given the wicket and the situation, he took one or two, and it did wonders for us.

“There were only 12 balls left and Kusal Perera was batting. Rinku got him out and Surya came in in the last over and almost won the game for us. We all know he has a big heart when he goes out to bat. , but he also has a big heart in leadership too.”

Washington then played an important role, bowling a Super Over where he conceded only two runs, but took two wickets. In a regular game he had taken 2 for 23.

“Actually, I didn’t know I was going to bowl. It was after the batsmen were out that Surya turned back and said: ‘Washy, you are still going to play.’ I was very happy, to be honest. If the captain wants you to throw a difficult ball especially in difficult situations, in the Super Over I thought it was a good opportunity for me to go up and win games for my country.”

Although India looked unable to defend 137 because of the majority of the chase, Suryakumar did not lose hope, Washington said. Sri Lanka, at the other stage, needed 28 runs from 28 balls, with nine wickets in hand. India will then begin a great fall.

“Surya kept telling us that one or two wickets, and the game will definitely change,” Washington said. “On these types of wickets, in games with low scores, even running the ball can put a lot of pressure on the batsmen because someone throws them at the wicket.

“He said one or two wickets in the middle overs would put us in the game, and that happened. I hope the viewers appreciate that because you will see games like this every now and then. Being a part of this game feels good.”