2nd ODI: After sensational start, merciless India eye unbeaten series lead against Sri Lanka
Led by Shikhar Dhawan, the young Indian team played refreshing and attacking ODI cricket as they kicked off their Sri Lanka tour with an emphatic 7-wicket win over the hosts at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. Even as test regulars prepare for the 5-test series, the likes of Prithvi Shaw and Ishan Kishan have lit up the iconic venue, demonstrating the power of India’s bench.
The gulf of class between India’s ‘second-string’ side and Sri Lanka’s first-choice XI was quite evident as the tourists gunned down a total of 262 in just 36.4 overs in the series opener.
Prithvi Shaw might not have been higher up in the pecking order for a spot in the T20 World Cup squad but the Mumbai opener made sure he reminded the selectors of his prowess with a sensational knock, a 24-ball 43 as he set up India’s chase and took the game away from Sri Lanka in just 5 overs.
Prithvi Shaw has been consistent ever since he returned from the disappointment of the Australia tour earlier this year. After a record-breaking Vijay Hazare Trophy season with Mumbai, the Delhi Capitals opener was in fine form in the Indian Premier League 2021.
Shaw will be hungry for more and that is certainly bad news for Sri Lanka who have an uphill task of recovering from the hammering in the first ODI.
Ishan Kishan, who took the gloves ahead of Sanju Samson, is giving selectors a headache with his consistency in white-ball formats. The Jharkhand wicketkeeper grabbed the opportunity that came his way with both hands, smashing the second-fastest fifty by an ODI debutant. Ishan hit the first ball of his ODI career for a six and there was no looking back from there.
Meanwhile, Shikhar Dhawan, who came up with a solid captain’s knock of 86 not out, will also be looking to continue his rich vein of form. The skipper got his tactics to spot on when India outplayed Dasun Shanaka’s men.
Will Manish Pandey retain his place in XI?
All eyes will be on Manish Pandey as he was the odd man out in an otherwise dominant batting performance on Sunday. However, it will be hard on the Karnataka batsman if he is left after just one opportunity in the island nation. It will be interesting to see if he retains his batting position, considering the way Suryakumar Yadav approached his ODI debut innings.
Head coach Rahul Dravid does not have a lot to worry about but India’s new-ball bowling was a concern. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who is also eyeing a T20 World Cup spot, needs to step up after having been taken to the cleaners in the series opener, Deepak Chahar struck twice in his second spell but India would want the Chennai Super Kings bowler to pick up wickets up front.
Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chaha showed glimpses of return to form and the wrist-spin duo will look to settle into the series.
On the other hand, Sri Lanka can take confidence from the way they batted after the disappointing performances in their tour of England last month. The islanders though would want their big names to step up and convert their starts into big knocks.
Sri Lanka vs India, 2nd ODI Predicted Playing XIs
India: Shikhar Dhawan (captain), Prithvi Shaw, Ishan Kishan (wicketkeeper), Suryakumar Yadav, Manish Pandey, Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwr Kumar, Deepak Chahar, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal.
Sri Lanka: Avishka Fernando, Binod Bhanuka (wicketkeeper), Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Aslanka, Dasun Shanaka (captain), Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Isuru Udana, Dushmantha Chameera, Lakshan Sandakan.
