India put in a comprehensive performance to beat Sri Lanka by 69 runs in the second Twenty20 International at Ranchi on Friday. On a dry and dusty surface, India's top order brushed off their inertia from Pune to post a substantial 196-6 on the board, before their bowlers exposed a weak Lankan top order, allowing the tourists to score only 127-9 in their allotted 20 overs. The three match series is now tied at 1-1 with the decider to be played in Vizag on Sunday.

After electing to bat, openers Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan got the hosts off to a great start. Dhawan hit a 25-ball 51 and Sharma a 36-ball 43. Sri Lanka's bowlers managed to keep things quiet after dismissing both of them, but Suresh Raina (30 off 19 balls) and Hardik Pandya (27 off 12 balls) struck some late blows towards the end. Thisara Perera did take a hat-trick late in the innings, but it was not enough to prevent India from reaching a challenging total.

Sri Lanka's chase never took off, as they lost a wicket off the very first ball of the innings and kept on losing wickets at regular intervals. Dinesh Chandimal (31 off 30 balls) and Chamara Kapugedera (32 off 27 balls) tried to repair the damage, but lost their wickets trying to hit out. Ravichandran Ashwin was the pick of the bowlers for India, finishing with 3-14 in his four overs. Ashish Nehra, Ravindra Jadeja and Jasprit Bumrah picked up two wickets apiece as the tourists fell short by 69 runs.