🏏 India tour of Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka vs India, 2nd ODI, Colombo🏏

🏏 India tour of Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka vs India, 2nd ODI, Colombo🏏

India set to take on Sri Lanka in the second ODI at Colombo.

India have just one more ODI series scheduled between their current tour of Sri Lanka and the Champions Trophy in February-March 2025.

It's an unusual period for bilateral ODIs, even more so for a series involving Sri Lanka, who have not qualified for the Champions Trophy.

Thus, it was fitting that Friday's match turned into a classic encounter, a thrilling, slow-burning tie that demonstrated—just as last year's World Cup did repeatedly—that the ODI format remains an excellent showcase for cricketing skills.

After three consecutive collapses in the T20Is—9 for 30, 7 for 31, and 7 for 22—Sri Lanka will draw some confidence from their recovery from 101 for 5 in the first ODI on Friday and will hope to challenge India further in the remaining two matches.

The third T20I in Pallekele and the first ODI in Colombo both demonstrated that spin-friendly conditions can considerably narrow the quality gap between the teams. If Khettarama continues to offer substantial grip and turn, the outcome of this series remains uncertain.

A 21-step stride towards the crease by a broad-shouldered, 6-foot 4-inch figure can seem imposing, but Shivam Dube releases the cricket ball with all the urgency of a leisurely afternoon stroll, at a modest sub-130 kmph.

The Sri Lankan top order, which had opted to dig in on Friday, made the medium pacer appear more menacing than he actually was in the first ODI. The slow pitch at the R. Premadasa Stadium might have been his ally, but the batters' reluctance to put him under pressure proved to be his greater weapon.

Even his mid-120 kmph deliveries were made to look like a jaffa when Kusal Mendis was trapped LBW while playing the wrong line to an angling-in delivery that had just slightly straightened after pitching. Yet, that was merely one ball in a spell of 24 that Sri Lanka had faced from Dube, the genial medium pacer who was allowed to operate comfortably within his limitations.

Gill's bowling is merely an extension of what the new team management has done on this tour with its part-time bowlers, which include Riyan Parag, Suryakumar Yadav and Rinku Singh. The increased bowling involvement of part-timers is a move India had attempted in short bursts under the previous coaching regime, but it has now picked up frequency and consistency. Whose turn will it be next to look to continue their control in the middle overs?

As Sri Lanka missed yet another chance to win from a dominating position, their winless streak continued. Nonetheless, escaping with a tie provided a much-needed boost as they prepare to face the same opponent at the same venue today. But will that result be enough to allow their in-form top-order batters to play with greater freedom?

While Dube's underutilized bowling skills were pressed into duty for more reasons than one in the first ODI, India even employed the services of Shubman Gill for an over, as their seventh bowling option, only a day after announcing that they wouldn't be using this ODI series as a practice ground.

IND vs SL Head to Head

India and Sri Lanka have faced each other in 169 One Day Internationals (ODIs). Of these matches, India has secured 99 victories, Sri Lanka has won 57, there have been 2 ties, and 11 matches have concluded without a result.

Sri Lanka: Wanindu Hasaranga will miss the remainder of the ODI series with a left hamstring injury and has been replaced in the squad by Jeffrey Vandersay. With Mohamed Shiraz not having much of a role to play in the first ODI, the hosts could be tempted to replace him with a fourth frontline spinner on a track expected to aid the tweakers.

Probable XI: Avishka Fernando, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka (C), Janith Liyanage, Dunith Wellalage, Jeffrey Vandersay, Akila Dananjaya, Mohamed Shiraz/Maheesh Theekshana, Asitha Fernando

India: The visitors took a rest day ahead of the second ODI. They may not want to tinker much with their Playing XI.

Probable XI: Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh/Khaleel Ahmed

Did you know?

Virat Kohli has stroked four centuries in his last six ODI innings at the R Premadasa Stadium

Each of India's top-five batters averaged above 50 in ODIs last year

In 11 innings where Charith Asalanka has played left-arm legspinners, he has been dismissed five times by them

IND vs SL Pitch Report

Spinners claimed 13 of the 18 wickets that fell in the first ODI, which is not unusual for Khettarama. Since the start of 2022, spin has taken as many wickets here (101) as pace. Although fast bowlers have achieved a marginally better overall average (27.04) compared to spinners (28.82) during this period, they have been more costly, conceding 5.28 runs per over compared to the spinners' 4.67. We can expect similar conditions on Sunday.

IND vs SL Weather Report

Colombo is anticipated to see scattered thunderstorms during the second ODI between India and Sri Lanka, with a 49 per cent chance of precipitation. Daytime temperatures are expected to be around 30 degrees Celsius, dropping to 26 degrees Celsius at night. Wind speeds will range from 10 to 15 km/h, and humidity levels are forecast to remain below 88 per cent.

What to expect: Scattered thunderstorms are predicted for Sunday. It may not impact the game much, which is expected to be another low-scoring encounter

What they said:

In the top 4 or 5 if someone can bowl, it always helps the team. Looking forward, there will be contributions. And depending on the situation and pitch conditions, in which way we can use the bowlers and somebody who can bowl as a batter can be a surprise element to the opposition. I'm sure moving ahead there will be ample opportunities for the batters to bowl - Sairaj Bahutule, India's spin bowling coach

I did (believe we could defend the total), but we should have done a bit more well to restrict them under 230... I am happy about the the energy in the field and the way the boys played in the second half - Charith Asalanka, Sri Lanka captain

Sri Lanka would be happy with the result; however, Team India will aim to improve and register their first win of the ODI series. The Men in Blue will be led by Rohit Sharma, and the visitors will hope to avoid blunders this time around.

The surface at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo is one that is preferred by the batters. The dry pitch heavily favours the batters in the early stages of the game. However, it is known for slowing down as the game progresses, and opting to bowl first after winning the toss could be a wise decision.

Probable Best Batter: Dunith Wellalage

Sri Lanka’s Dunith Wellalage could be the best batter in the upcoming second ODI against India. Scoring 67* runs in 65 deliveries, Wellalage performed exceptionally well in the first ODI and will aim to put in another good showing in the second ODI.

Probable Best Bowler: Charith Asalanka

Sri Lanka skipper Charith Asalanka could be the best bowler in the second ODI against India. Bowling 8.5 overs in the first ODI, Asalanka took three wickets and conceded just 30 runs in the process.

Today's Match Prediction: India to win the match

Scenario 1

Sri Lanka win the toss and opts to bowl first

PP Score: 75-85

Score: 260-280

India win the match

Scenario 2

India win the toss and opt to bowl first

PP score: 70-80

Score: 220-230

India win the match

Disclaimer: The prediction is based on the understanding, analysis, and instinct of the author. While making your prediction, consider the points mentioned, and make your own decision.

With no Super Over on offer, the 1st match ended in a tie -- the second such result between the two teams in 50-over format -- and the teams go into the second of the three matches 0-0.

Dunith Wellalage stood out with his unbeaten 67 in Sri Lanka's innings and then took two wickets including skipper Rohit Sharma for 58 with his left-arm spin.

Wanindu Hasaranga, a leg-spinner, and Asalanka took three wickets each to rattle the Indian batting with regular strikes.

KL Rahul, who made 31, and Axar Patel, who scored 33, attempted to put the chase on track in their sixth-wicket partnership of 57 but after they departed India slipped.

Dube, a left-hand batsman, attempted to hit back with his two sixes in his 24-ball knock but failed to take the team over the line.

IND vs SL Head-to-Head Records: Recent 5 Encounters

In the recent 5 encounters between India and Sri Lanka, 4 games were won by Rohit Sharma & Co. Out of these, two recent ones are the ODI WC 2023 clash and the Asia Cup 2023 final. In both matches, India stunned Sri Lanka by bagging huge victories. The recent 1st ODI ended in a tie.

If we glance at IND vs SL ODI records in detail, former India batter Sachin Tendulkar is the highest run-getter with 3113 runs. For Sri Lanka, Sanath Jayasuriya takes the top spot with 2899 runs.

Rohit Sharma has the record for the top-ever knocks of 264 and 208* versus Sri Lanka. Sanath Jayasuriya slammed the top score of 189 vs India. Virat Kohli has the most number of 10 centuries while Jayasuriya has 7 tons.

In the bowling department, spin legend Muttaiah Muralidharan has grabbed the most wickets (74). Zaheer Khan holds the peak position with 66 scalps for the Indian side. The record for best bowling shows goes to Muralidharan with 7/30 and Mohammed Siraj with 6/21.

In the recent few years, India has overpowered Sri Lanka in all series. Also, India has crushed them in ICC tournaments with ease.

In Sri Lanka too, the Men-in-Blue has a better winning record. Hence, according to IND vs SL trends and patterns, India has emerged victorious again and again.