Buoyed by the type of its prime three batters, a medical India will look to take an unassailable 2-0 lead after they face Sri Lanka within the second ODI right here on Thursday. Having ended his century drought for almost three years in a T20I towards Afghanistan within the Asia Cup in September, Virat Kohli has not regarded again since then particularly within the white ball format and introduced up his 73rd Worldwide century of their 67-run win in Guwahati on Tuesday.
He regarded in supreme management within the first ODI in Guwahati on Tuesday and made Sri Lanka pay the value for 2 dropped possibilities to slam a back-to-back ODI a whole lot that fashioned the spine of India’s huge 373 for seven. It was just like the Kohli of the previous as he regarded uncluttered and no Sri Lankan bowler troubled him.
Coming back from an harm, Indian skipper Rohit Sharma too allayed any issues in any respect of being quick on match-fitness as he took on the Lankan assault in a 67-ball 83 to set the muse for a mammoth complete. He appeared to be in his zone earlier than coming to his favorite venue Eden Gardens.
The final time the 2 groups met in an ODI right here, Rohit struck that world document 264 eight years again. Now right here in his favorite venue because the Indian skipper, Rohit could be positively eager to get to an enormous rating.
That an ODI century can also be eluding him since a very long time — his final ODI hundred got here towards Australia in January 2020 would even be an added motivation.
Add younger opener Shubman Gill’s splendid ODI run to Indian prime three and Indian top-order appears to be like sorted and would as soon as once more look to dominate the pedestrian Lankan assault.
Having obtained unflinching help from his skipper, Gill was again as opener within the ODI format on the expense of left-handed keeper-batter Ishan Kishan, a range that copped loads of criticism in Guwahati.
However Gill silenced all that debate with one more aesthetic knock of 70 off simply 60 balls as he continued his positive kind from final 12 months throughout which he has averaged 70-plus from 12 innings.
With Shreyas Iyer additionally getting back from a dream ODI run final 12 months and occupying the no 4 spot along with his aptitude for tackling spin and rotating strike within the center overs, the one spot which will open up within the batting order is that of KL Rahul.
Rahul, who additionally doubles up as a wicketkeeper, has been in wretched type of late however could get an extended run particularly within the collection to delay Kishan’s wait.
Mohammed Siraj continued to lift his stakes and regarded terrific with the brand new ball in a gap spell of 5-1-15-2, laced with 25 dot balls on a flat deck at Barsapara Stadium.
On Eden’s quick deck, Siraj will relish the problem bowling with previous warhorse Mohammed Shami because it stays to be seen whether or not the workforce suppose tank opts for an additional seamer.
Umran Malik performed the position of the enforcer within the center overs until Dasun Shanaka took on him en path to a positive century. The younger tempo gun is a piece in progress and would look to enhance with each match.
Skipper Dasun Shanaka has been the one silver-lining for Sri Lanka in a lopsided contest in Guwahati. From being 179/7, the premier Lankan all-rounder gave the guests some hope with a valiant 108 not out as he would look to proceed his positive kind.
Taking full benefit of the dew, Shanaka took Indian bowling to cleaners however they would want a collective effort from their batters to offer India any combat.
With opener Pathum Nissanka additionally in good kind, the Lankans would look to place up a robust present with the batting.
However the greatest letdown for the Sri Lankans was their fielding as they dropped Kohli twice. They might additionally hope for an improved present from their bowlers particularly within the powerplay the place they gave loads of width to Indian batters.
It additionally stays to be seen whether or not Sri Lanka will get the providers of left-arm seamer Dilshan Madushanka who made his debut in Guwahati.
He harm his proper shoulder whereas fielding and coach Chris Silverwood stated they’re awaiting the X-ray to ensure the whole lot is okay.
Groups (from)
India:Rohit Sharma (c), Hardik Pandya (vc), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Ishan Kishan (wk), Washington Sundar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Umran Malik and Arshdeep Singh.
Sri Lanka:Dasun Shanaka (c), Kusal Mendis (vc), Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Wanindu Hasaranga, Ashen Bandara, Maheesh Theekshana, Chamika Karunaratne, Dilshan Madushanka, Kasun Rajitha, Nuwanidu Fernando (ODIs), Dunith Wellalage, Pramod Madushan, Lahiru Kumara.
Match begins: 1.30pm IST.
(Apart from the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV workers and is printed from a syndicated feed.)
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