Team India (Twitter)
The first T20I between India and Sri Lanka turned out to be a riveting affair. Another intense clash can be expected when the two teams lock horns on Sunday, July 28, at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Pallekele in the second encounter.
The Men in Blue picked up a comfortable 43-run win in the first T20I but they were put under tremendous pressure at one point when Pathum Nissanka was breathing fire with the bat as Sri Lanka chased a mammoth 214-run target.
The opening pair of Nissanka and Kusal Mendis got the home side off to a flying start as they added 84 runs inside nine overs. After Kusal departed for a 27-ball 45, Nissanka added 56 runs off 33 balls with Kusal Perera.
At the end of the 14th over, Sri Lanka needed 74 runs with nine wickets in the bank and two set batters at the crease. However, Axar Patel dismissed both Nissanka and Perera in the 15th over as India found a ray of hope.
However, they would not have envisaged how things transpired from there on and Sri Lanka were bowled out for 170 with four balls left to play.
To put things into context, the last nine Sri Lankan wickets fell for just 30 runs. Riyan Parag bagged a three-for, while Axar and Arshdeep Singh accounted for two wickets each. Ravi Bishnoi and Mohammed Siraj, on the other hand, picked up one wicket each to give India a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
In the first innings, India openers Yashasvi Jaiswal (40) and Shubman Gill (36) added 74 runs in the powerplay. However, both of them departed off consecutive deliveries as Sri Lanka came back into the game strongly.
However, Suryakumar Yadav played a blinder of a knock in his first game as India’s full-time T20I captain as he finished on 58 off 26 balls, hitting eight fours and two sixes. Pant also chipped in with 49 off 33 balls after struggling in the initial phase of his innings. For Sri Lanka, Matheesha Pathirana was the star of the show as he bagged a four-for.
Pallekele International Cricket Stadium Pitch Report
The first T20I was played on a fantastic surface which provided an even bounce and the ball came onto the bat nicely. A similar surface is expected to greet the two teams on Sunday. Bowlers will have their task cut out in that case as the margin for error is going to be minimal. The powerplay overs are going to be crucial for both teams when they are batting.
Also Read: SL vs IND: Umpires correct 2019 World Cup final-like mistake in opening T20I at Pallekele
Match Details:
| Match | Venue | Date and Time |
| Sri Lanka vs India, 2nd T20I | Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele | Sunday, July 28, 7:00 PM IST |
Head-To-Head Records
| Matches | Won by Sri Lanka | Won by India | Tied | No Result | First-ever Fixture | Most-recent Fixture |
| 30 | 09 | 20 | – | 01 | February 10, 2009 | July 27, 2024 |
SL vs IND Probable Playing XIs
Sri Lanka:
Sri Lanka do not have much depth in their squad as far as their bowling resources are concerned because the likes of Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Thushara, and Binura Fernando have been ruled out of the series due to injuries. However, they can bring in the in-form Avishka Fernando in place of the misfiring Kamindu Mendis. Avishka was the third-highest run-getter in the recently concluded Lanka Premier League and will be high on confidence.
Predicted XI
Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (WK), Kusal Perera, Kamindu Mendis, Charith Asalanka (C), Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka.
India:
India are unlikely to make any changes to their side as most of their players performed well. They would want to bag the series with a win on Sunday so that they can make some experiments if needed in the third T20I.
Predicted XI
Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav (C), Rishabh Pant (WK), Hardik Pandya, Riyan Parag, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohammed Siraj.