Suryakumar Yadav and Axar Patel’s valiant effort went in vain as Sri Lanka defeated India by 16 runs in the second T20I in Pune.

With this outcome the three-match series is now squared at 1-1.

Chasing 207, India got off to a dreadful start losing the top order inside the powerplay overs. Hardik Pandya was then caught-behind for 12 after the powerplay. Deepak Hooda and Suryakumar then steadied things before Hasaranga got rid of Hooda for 9.

Suryakumar and Axar Patel then stitched a 90-plus stand, before Suryakumar was dismissed for 51 (36). Axar was dismissed for 65 (31) in the final over.

Earlier Kusal Mendis and Dasun Shanaka smashed 50 each to drive Sri Lanka to a staggering total in 20 overs.

Mendis smashed a 27-ball 50, reaching the milestone with a six against Umran Malik. While Shanka finished unbeaten on 56 off 22 balls. The match started with SL getting off to a flying start with openers adding 80 runs for the opening wicket in 8.2 overs. Shortly after his dismissal Sri Lanka kept losing wickets at regular intervals, before skipper Shanaka took charge. He smashed a 20-ball half-century.

(Hindustan Times)

No COVID-19 deaths have been confirmed yesterday (04) by the Director-General of Health Services.

Accordingly, the current COVID-19 death toll remains at 16,818.

Sepal Amarasinghe has been arrested by the CID for making comments regarding the Sacred Tooth relic, that led to controversy.

He has been arrested in the Bellanwila area, reports add.

Earlier, the President’s Media Division stated that President Ranil Wickremesinghe has instructed the Inspector General of Police C D Wickramaratne today (05) to immediately start investigations regarding the request made by the Mahanayake Theros of Asgiri and Malwathu chapters and the Diyawadana Nilame of the Dalada Maligawa regarding a fake Dalada Maligawa is being constructed in Wadakada, Kurunegala.

Accordingly, the Inspector General of Police said that investigations were commenced immediately under a Deputy Inspector General of Criminal Investigation Department, and two investigation teams under the supervision of an Assistant Superintendent of Police have already gone to the place and has commenced investigations.

According to the letter sent to the President it had mentioned that as stated in the constitution, the government is bound to protect and nurture Buddhism. It also stated that the government should investigate the facts immediately and prevent such acts from the beginning for the sake of the perpetuation and development of Buddhism.