Sri Lanka vs West Indies 2024/25, SL vs WI 3rd T20I Match Report, October 17, 2024

Sri Lanka Defeated 166 for 1 (Kusal Mendis 68*, Kusal Perera 55*). West Indies 162 for 8 (Powell 37, Motie 32, Theekshana 2-19) by nine wickets

The West Indies had earlier done well to reach 162 themselves, although they largely suffered a late attack from Gudakesh Motie, who scored 32 from 15 as he achieved perhaps an above-average score on a spin-happy track.

Although Dunith Wellalage went for runs, Sri Lanka's remaining spinners kept the score under control. This was also a key difference between the teams.

Kusal Mendis scored the highest score of the game with 68 not out from 50. Perera crashed 55 off 36. Nissanka had played the most aggressive innings, plundering 39 off 22.

The 2-1 result is another sign of Sri Lanka's resurgence in the format they have arguably struggled with the most over the last two years. They have won five Test matches this year and also beat India in a bilateral ODI series in July. With this victory, new coach Sanath Jayasuriya's stock continues to rise.

Sri Lanka attacks early

West Indies strengthened their spin attack by bringing Fabian Allen into the team for this game, but Nissanka ensured Sri Lanka's batters established their dominance early on. He hit three fours in the first over bowled by Allen before launching seamer Alzrri Joseph for two sixes and a four in the next over – the runs coming all around the ground, although he favored the square area on the off side. By the time Nissanka was bowled by a Motie slider after 5.2 overs, Sri Lanka had already accelerated to 60.

Kusal Mendis and Perera consolidate and then accelerate

The early middle overs were quieter than before. But soon Perera started hitting the boundary particularly from the legs and Sri Lanka's run rate was poor again before the West Indies could apply any serious pressure. Kusal Mendis, who had started scoring quickly towards the end of the powerplay, continued to storm the boundaries regularly and reached a 15th T20I fifty. Perera reached his half-century – also his 15th – in the last over of the game.

West Indies miss opportunities

West Indies had chances to stem the chase. Rovman Powell could have caught the dangerous Nissanka in the first over but misjudged the high ball and instead deflected it into the rope. Roston Chase later missed a direct chance to pull back against Kusal Mendis in the 44th minute – even though Sri Lanka were well on their way to victory by then. Shai Hope could have dismissed Kusal Mendis for 34 had he hit the stumps with a throw in the ninth over.

Motie's attack

The highlight of West Indies' innings was the 15th over of the game in which they scored 25 runs. Their innings had stalled at 86 for 5 after 14 overs and Sri Lanka still had plenty of spin to offer. But Motie would pounce on left-arm spinner Wellalage to revive the innings. His first boundary came over the outside edge, but the next three towered high, successive sixes – the first on the ground, the next two over deep midwicket. He left soon after, but put the West Indies on a better course.