India seek redemption after unexpected tie in ODI series opener against spirited Sri Lanka

After the first ODI of the three-match series saw the famed Indian batting unit struggle, the Men in Blue will be hoping to get back to their elements as they gear up for another stern challenge against Sri Lanka in the same venue with the second ODI loading in less than 24 hours.

Despite a clinical show from the bowlers which restricted Sri Lanka to 230, it was a shaky showdown from the Indian engine room with the bat. With a lot of scope for improvement, Rohit and co. will be hoping to shake things up. There were bouts of promise from the Indian batters, however, it wasn’t enough for them to fend off the hosts.

Sri Lanka will be desperate to conjure another of those crackling displays as India will be under the pump with the spoils shared for the opening fixture. Dunith Wellalage has been one of Sri Lanka’s key architects, a youngster who has proven himself earlier in the Asia Cup while impressing heavily in the opening fixture of the series and the hosts won’t mind revolving around the youngster who has been creating quite a few problems for the Men in Blue with his fiery brand of cricket.

Venue Watch:

It is not one of the easiest surfaces to bat on with the ball moving around for a while. The pitch also has a bit of spongy bounce on it which can be a massive game-changer and with the kind of two-paced wicket that has been prepared, expect another low-scoring thriller to decide the fate of the contest.

Head-to-Head:

Matches played: 169

India: 99

Sri Lanka: 57

Match Details:

Match – Sri Lanka vs India, 2nd ODI

Venue: R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo

Date: 4th August, 2024

Time: 2:30 PM

Squads:

India: Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (WK), Rishabh Pant (WK), Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Riyan Parag, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, Khaleel Ahmed, Harshit Rana.

Sri Lanka: Charith Asalanka (Captain), Kusal Mendis, Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Nishan Madushka, Janith Liyanage, Kamindu Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Chamika Karunaratne, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Asitha Fernando, Matheesha Pathirana, Dilshan Madushanka, Akila Dananjaya, Dunith Wellalage