Who will get the first win of the series?
After a thrilling end to the opening match which saw hosts Sri Lanka steal a point away with a tie, India will be looking to bounce back and get their first win of the ODI series following a disappointing batting performance by Rohit Sharma and his boys.
Ahead of the crucial second ODI between Sri Lanka and India which will decide the series, here’s our match preview.
The Men In Blue looked in control of the first ODI for the majority of it right up until KL Rahul got out, which led to an eventual collapse of the lower middle order and lower order. The Indians were tidy with the ball at Colombo, where there was more than a bit for the spinners throughout the match.
The Indian bowlers were on top of the batters for the majority of the Sri Lankan innings, barring Pathum Nissanka and Dunith Wellalage’s time at the crease. Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav were economical with the ball with Mohammed Siraj and Arshdeep Singh starting well with the new ball as well.
While the bowlers were on form from the get-go, the Indian batters, barring Rohit Sharma, would feel that they had let their team down. Shubhman Gill, Shreyas Iyer and Virat Kohli all got starts and looked in sublime touch before giving away their wickets. KL Rahul, on his return to the squad, looked like he would take his team home but the wicket-keeper fell at the wrong time with Axar Patel and Shivam Dube not being able to bat with the tail to see the team through as a late choke from the recent T20 world champions saw Sri Lanka tie the game.
For the hosts, while barring Nissanka and Wellalage’s innings, none of their batters could get going as the Indian bowlers made sure no batter could get themselves in properly. Their bowlers though, barring the opening onslaught by Rohit Sharma, had the Indian batters in their grip, chipping in with crucial wickets throughout the Indian innings. Captain Charith Asalanka eventually turned out to be the deciding factor, closing out the game with two wickets in two balls to tie the game for his team. Young spinner Dunith Wellalage had earlier spun a web around the Indian batters while Wanindu Hasaranga and Akila Dananjaya made sure the Indian batters didn’t take the match away either.
The second ODI will also take place at the R Premadasa at Colombo which means the spinners will be key once again. The Indian team will be favourites once again as Rohit Sharma will be expecting his experienced and star-studded middle order to step up and pick up their hands when needed.
Fantasy XI: Rohit Sharma, Prathum Nissanka, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Charith Asalanka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Kuldeep Yadav, Dunith Wellalage, Mohammad Siraj, Akila Dananjaya
Venue: Colombo
Winner Prediction: India
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