India aim for its ninth consecutive bilateral T20I series triumph as they take on Sri Lanka in second game of the three-match series. Having won the first game by 38 runs, Shikhar Dhawan and his boys will be confident of another favourable result. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, have won just one of their last 14 completed T20Is, and will seek some resurgence.
This holds true especially for their batting. Since October 2019, they have crossed 180 only once, which illustrates the lack of depth. In the first T20I, apart from Charith Asalanka’s 44 off 26 balls, there was no major contribution against a target of 165. As the asking rate increased, the lower middle-order order collapsed like a house of cards. Lack of contributions from captain Dasun Shanaka has not helped their cause either.
Hence, heading into tonight’s fixture, Mickey Arthur and the rest of the team management have to come out with a different gameplan. The batters may take cue from the bowlers, who did well to restrict India to a manageable score in the last fixture.
Things are not as complicated for India. Though there is lack of clarity surrounding the travel plans of Prithvi Shaw and Suryakumar Yadav, who are supposed to join the Test team in England. If they are available, the in-form duo should feature in the XI. The latter scored a half-century in the last game.
In the bowling department, India will rely largely on Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Deepak Chahar, and in the middle overs, Yuzvendra Chahal. On Sunday, Chahal was supported ably by Varun Chakravarthy, who picked one wicket on international debut.
And keeping the T20 World Cup in mind, Hardik Pandya’s performance will be closely monitored by the fans and the selectors, who are currently in Sri Lanka.
Head to head:
Out of the 20 T20I encounters between the two sides India have beaten Sri Lanka on 14 occasions and lost 5.
Betway fantasy tips
– India will most likely pick an unchanged XI. So you can pick both Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan for the wicketkeeper’s slot.
– Asalanka, Sri Lanka’s highest scorer in the last game, has a hamstring issue and is doubtful. Sadeera Samarawickrama may replace him. Chamika Karunaratne may bat up the order.
– Since Bhuvneshwar will bowl at least two overs in the death, he will have more opportunity to take wickets and fetch more bowling points.
Likely XIs
India: Shikhar Dhawan (c), Prithvi Shaw, Sanju Samson, Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan (wk), Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Deepak Chahar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Varun Chakravarthy
Sri Lanka: Avishka Fernando, Minod Bhanuka (wk), Dhananjaya de Silva, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Ashen Bandara, Dasun Shanaka (c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Isuru Udana, Dushmantha Chameera, Akila Dananjaya
Prediction
Yet again, India will have an all-round show and outclass Sri Lanka.