After the terrific first ODI ended in a tie, Sri Lanka and India will hope to head into the second game with a clean slate. The winner of the second game cannot lose the series as they would take an unbeatable 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series.
Sri Lanka will have the best of moods going into the second game. Their bowlers, spinners, in particular, will be looking to continue their fine form against the Indian batting. Dunith Wellage, with his stellar show with the bat and ball, was the best player of the first match.
The batting, though, remains a concern for the home team going into the second match. Barring Pathum Nissanka none of the top-order batters were up to the task against an inspired Indian bowling unit.
Read More: Predicting Sri Lanka’s Playing XI for their first ODI against India
Here is the likely Sri Lanka XI for the 2nd ODI versus India
Openers – Pathum Nissanka and Avishka Fernando
Young batting sensation Pathum Nissanka has been a constant thorn in the flesh for India. The right-handed batter scored a fifty in the opening game on Friday to continue his fine form with the bat. Sri Lanka will hope that Nissanka can keep the runs flowing and continue to torment the Indian bowlers. Avishka Fernando is an attacking batter and his run-scoring talents will be needed if Sri Lanka has to get a good start.
Middle-order – Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, and Charith Asalanka
Kusal Mendis hasn’t managed to fire with the bat so far during the series against India. One cannot count the diminutive Sri Lankan out as he has all the talent in the world to put up a big score. Sadeera Samarawickrama is an attacking batter with the ability to play well against the pacers and the spinners. The game on Sunday will also give Charith Asalanka a chance to show his true worth with the bat after his heroics with the ball.
All-rounders – Janith Liyange, Wanindu Hasaranga, and Dunith Wellage
Sri Lanka got back into the contest thanks to the vital contributions of Janith Liyange with the bat. Wanindu Hasaranga deserves special praise as he counter-attacked the Indian bowlers and also picked key wickets. The star for the home side was none other than Dunith Wellage as he scored his maiden ODI fifty and also picked key wickets which included Shubman Gill and the dangerous looking Rohit Sharma.
Bowlers – Akila Dhanajaya, Mohammad Shiraz, and Asitha Fernando
Debutant Mohammad Shiraz showed his nerves as he was smacked for 25 runs off his 4 overs. The right-arm pacer will look to make it back in form during the second game on Sunday. Akila Dhananjaya had the visitors in trouble as he claimed 1/40 from his ten overs and broke the early momentum the Indian side had. Asitha Fernando gave the team a key wicket when he past Shreyas Iyer and the right-arm pacer will look to continue in the same vein.
Sri Lankan predicted XI vs India for 2nd ODI
Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis (WK), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka (Captain), Janith Liyange, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellage, Akila Dhananjaya, Mohammad Shiraz, and Asitha Fernando.