India will lock horns against Sri Lanka in the second T20I at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune on Thursday. The home team had drawn first blood in the series after winning the opening game by two runs and they will look to continue the winning impetus.
On the other hand, it will be a do-or-die match for Sri Lanka as far as the series is concerned. The tourists had come in an arm’s distance to clinch the first game but they couldn’t cross the line despite restricting the hosts to 162 runs.
We look at the current form, head-to-head, players to look out for, and squads of both teams in our match preview.
Current form of India: W T W NR L
India has been at their best in the bilateral series and they would look to continue their supremacy against Sri Lanka. However, the home team will want to come up with a better batting performance in the second game as they could only manage 162 runs in the first T20I.
Current form of Sri Lanka: L L W L L
Sri Lanka did a good job with the ball in the first T20I but they couldn’t back it up with the bat against India. The visitors’ batters will want to make the most of their opportunities if they get settled at the crease and deliver the goods for their team.
Head to Head: Matches: 27, Won by India: 18, Won by Sri Lanka: 8, NR: 1.
India clearly holds the advantage against the Island country in the head-to-head battle.
Players to look out for: Hardik Pandya, Yuzvendra Chahal, Suryakumar Yadav, Shubman Gill, Deepak Hooda, and Arshdeep Singh are going to hold the key for the Men in Blue.
Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Kusal Mendis,, and Bhanuka Rajapaksa will be the crucial players for the visitors.
India Squad for Sri Lanka T20Is: Hardik Pandya (Captain), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav, Rahul Tripathi, Deepak Hooda, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Shivam Mavi, Ishan Kishan, Sanju Samson, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Harshal Patel, Umran Malik, Mukesh Kumar.
Sri Lanka Squad for India T20Is: Dasun Shanaka (Captain), Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Kusal Mendis, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Ashen Bandara, Maheesh Theekshana, Dilshan Madushanka, Kasun Rajitha, Dunith Wellalage, Pramod Madushan, Lahiru Kumara, Nuwan Thushara.
