India vs Sri Lanka 2021, 2nd ODI preview: Can an irregular Lanka bounce back to square things?
India and Sri Lanka are engaged in a three-match One-Day International series, as the second game would be played at the Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Tuesday. With India drawing first blood, can an irregular Lanka bounce back to level the series?
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FollowAfter a one-sided dominance by Team India against Sri Lanka, the sides clash in the second One-Day International at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Tuesday. While the tie is a do-or-die clash for Lanka, India would look to carry on with the same winning momentum and seal the series.
India's fiery batting headlined the opening game following a decent show with the ball. While the Lankans failed to impress across departments, it would need to up its ante to save the series as we present the preview for the second ODI.
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Team composition
As for Team India, it continues to remain batting dominated, while its performance in the opening ODI certainly proved it. Starting from opener Prithvi Shaw to skipper Shikhar Dhawan and wicketkeeper-batsman Ishan Kishan, they all revelled on Sunday and are expected to do so again on Sunday. Also, its all-round bowling performance would be exciting to watch out.
Meanwhile, Lanka has to step up in all departments, especially with the ball. Despite being a bowling dominated side, it failed to pile any pressure on the Indian batsmen, leading them to chase the total down with ease, with 80 balls to spare. As for its batting, it was decent but needs to be even more precise from all.
Injury concerns
None of the sides has any injury concerns a day before the game.
Head-to-head
In the head-on clashes of the 160 matches, India has traditionally been victorious in 92 of them, while Lanka has won 56. In Lanka, of the 62 games, India has won 29, with Lanka winning 27. Meanwhile, in Colombo, India marginally leads 16-15.
Weather and pitch report
The weather in Colombo would be partly cloudy, with an expected temperature of around 29 degrees. As for the track, the pitch is expected to deteriorate as the game progresses, with the side winning the toss ideally looking to bat first.
Probable XI
India: Prithvi Shaw, Shikhar Dhawan (c), Ishan Kishan (wk), Manish Pandey, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Deepak Chahar, Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal.
Lanka: Avishka Fernando, Minod Bhanuka (wk), Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka (c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Dushmantha Chameera, Lakshan Sandakan and Lahiru Kumara.
Fantasy XI
Batsmen: Dhawan (c), Yadav, Shanka, Fernando, Shaw- Dhawan and Shaw would give the perfect start, followed by Fernando at number three, while Yadav and Shanka can consolidate in the middle-order. Dhawan's reliability makes him the skipper.
Wicketkeeper: Kishan (vc)- He can bat anywhere in the middle or top, while his decent form from the last game is sure to get him going, while he is also the deputy skipper.
All-rounder: de Silva- Although the all-rounder failed to fire with the bat, his off-spin was commendable and would again be the one that would somewhat frustrate the Indians.
Bowlers: Chahal, Chahar, Kuldeep, Karunaratne- The three Indians were highly effective and would continue with the same force at the same venue on Tuesday, especially spinners Chahal and Kuldeep. Although Karunaratne failed to claim a wicket, despite his excellent pace bowling, he has been highly economical.
Match details
Date and day: July 20, 2021 (Tuesday)
Venue: R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
Time: 3 PM (IST)
Where to watch (TV): Sony Ten, Sony Six, Sony Ten 3 and Sony Ten 4 (Also available in HD, along with regional languages)
Where to watch (Online): Sony LIV
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