CUTTACK: Skipper Rohit Sharma Wednesday lauded the wrist spinners for their wicket-taking abilities after Yuzvendra Chahal powered India to their biggest Twenty20 win, as the hosts outplayed Sri Lanka by 93 runs in the first match on Wednesday.
Chahal returned impressive figures of 4-23 with his leg-spin to help dismiss Sri Lanka for 87, in 16 overs, while chasing 181 as the hosts took a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Left-arm unorthodox bowler Kuldeep Yadav also chipped in with two wickets while paceman Hardik Pandya claimed three to flatten the Sri Lankan batting in Cuttack.
India's previous biggest T20 triumph in terms of runs was their 90-run win over England in the 2012 World Cup group match in Colombo.
"Those two guys (Chahal and Kuldeep), if you look at their careers over the last few months, they have always been a wicket-taking option in the middle," Sharma said of the spin duo.
"It's important to understand what the team expects of them and they've delivered. They don't fail to impress us."
Earlier opener Lokesh Rahul smashed 61 off 48 balls as India posted a challenging 180-3 after being invited to bat first.
The Sri Lankan batting fell like a pack of cards against the Indian wrist spinners as opening batsman Upul Tharanga top-scored with 23.
"Our batting line-up didn't click. Really disappointed. We are working hard at practice, to handle the wristspinners," said Perera.
"These are the best 15 (players) we have (in the squad) so we have to stand up and do the job in the next match."
The second match is scheduled for Friday in Indore.
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