Under the new coaching regime of Gautam Gambhir and skipper Suryakumar Yadav kicked off Team India’s (IND) new journey in the limited overs format with a bang. Notably, the Men in Blue took on Sri Lanka (SL) in their backyard after their legendary players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli bowed out of the T20I format to give a chance to fresh legs and a think tank. On Saturday, July 27, in Pallekele, Suryakumar Yadav stamped his Captaincy authority with his thrilling blitzkrieg, as he led his side to post a daunting total of 213 runs.
In notable performances from both sides, apart from skipper Yadav, openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill gave a solid 74-run start. Speaking of bowling, Sri Lankan bowlers were taken to the cleaners but Matheesha Pathirana claimed a four-wicket haul to stop the visitors from going past the 225-run mark. Continuing the momentum Sri Lankan openers too played some fearless cricket to keep themselves in the hunt. However, Axar Patel’s twin strikes derailed their chances and a collective bowling effort sealed the game for India as they trumped the Lankan Lions by 43 runs.
The action now shifts to the second T20I as the hosts Sri Lanka will yet again cross swords with the Men In Blue in a bid to bounce back in the series. Notably, the second game will be played on Sunday, July 28, in Pallekele. The Lankan Lions, too are going through a transition phase as Charith Asalanka has been handed the leadership. It will be now interesting to see what amends the sides make to keep the fans thrilled in the upcoming fixture.
Also Check: Sri Lanka vs India Live Score, 2nd T20I
SL vs IND, Match Details
| Match | Venue | Date & Time | Live Broadcast and Streaming Details |
| Sri Lanka vs India, 2nd T20I | Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy | Saturday, July 28, 7:00 pm IST | Sony Sports Network and SonyLIV (app and website) |
Pitch Report
The Pallekele stadium’s pitch usually benefits batters. Bowlers can mix up their pace to gain an advantage as the match progresses. A target of about 170 runs is generally seen as competitive for teams batting first at this venue. However, the evening dew factor often makes teams prefer chasing, as it can complicate bowling in the latter part of the game. Hence as seen in the first T20I game, the pitch was sluggish in nature which will tempt the skippers to bat first after winning the toss.
Head-To-Head Records
| Matches | Won by Sri Lanka | Won by India | No Result | First-ever Fixture | Most-recent Fixture |
| 29 | 09 | 19 | 01 | 10 February, 2009 | 27 July, 2024 |
Probable Playing 11 for IND vs SL
Sri Lanka:
Avishka Fernando, Charith Asalanka (C), Dinesh Chandimal, Kusal Mendis (WK), Pathum Nissanka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dasun Shanaka, Matheesha Pathirana, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, Binura Fernando.
India:
Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant (wk), Suryakumar Yadav (c), Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh
Probable Top Performers from SL vs IND
Probable Best Batter: Shubman Gill
Shubman Gill could be the top performer with the bat in the second T20I of the three-match contest. Fresh from his debut as captain in the recent five-game T20I series versus Zimbabwe, Gill emerged as the highest run-getter. The 24-year-old accumulated an impressive 170 runs across five innings, maintaining an average of 42.50 and striking at 125.92. Sri Lanka’s bowling unit must prioritize Gill’s early dismissal, as his ability to build substantial innings like he did in the first T20I, poses a significant threat to their chances.
Probable Best Bowler: Ravi Bishnoi
Leg spinner Ravi Bishnoi may emerge as the standout bowler in the forthcoming match. His recent performance in the Zimbabwe series was impressive, where he bagged six wickets across five games, maintaining an economical rate of 5.57 and an average of 17.66. Given that Sri Lankan pitches tend to assist spinners, Bishnoi could prove to be a crucial asset, potentially confounding opponents with his crafty bowling skills which he displayed in the first T20I game of the series.
Today’s Match Prediction: India to win the match
Scenario 1
Sri Lanka win the toss and opt to bowl first
PP Score: 55-65
Score: 155-165
India win the match
Scenario 2
India win the toss and opt to bowl first
PP score: 45-55
Score: 145-155
India win the match
Also Check: Sri Lanka vs India 2024 Schedule
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.