India will take on Sri Lanka in the third and deciding match at Vishakhapatnam tomorrow. After losing the first ODI at Dharamshala, team India produced a dominating display at Mohali. The highlight of that match was Rohit Sharma third double century in ODI cricket. Shreyas Iyer also played with 88 and opener Shikhar Dhawan scored 68.
India was invited into bat by Sri Lanka again in the second ODI. Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan started to put on 33 runs in first 10 overs. Both of them played with positive intent, rotated the strike not allowing the Sri Lankan bowlers to bowl 6 deliveries at one batsman. Both openers laid the foundation for 115 runs partnership. The young Shreyas Iyer played with positive intent. Indian captain Rohit Sharma reached a half-century off 65 balls. After completing his century, Rohit Sharma smashed the Sri Lankan bowlers to all parts of the ground. He remained not out on 208 and helped team India to post a massive total of 392 for 4.
The Indian bowlers were not tested. Washington Sundar made his debut and gave away just 65 runs in 10 overs, taking 1 wicket. Yuzvendra Chahal was the pick of bowlers with 3 wickets for 30. Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Bumrah did not give easy runs. Hardik Pandya also bowled well.
It was a poor display by Sri Lankan bowlers. Thisara Perera won the toss and invited India into bat again. Lakmal, Mathews could not pick early wickets for Sri Lanka. All the bowlers in the death overs could not bowl Yorkers and went for big sixes. Nuwan Pradeep was expensive giving away 106 runs, Lakmal the pick of bowlers in 1st ODI also went for 71 runs in 8 overs.
While batting chasing such big score, Sri Lanka did not have positive intent right from the start. Upul Tharanga, Gunathilaka, Thirimanne were dismissed cheaply. Their experienced player Mathews was the lone hand with 111 not out. Sri Lanka ended the innings on 251 for 8.
India will be looking to continue their brilliant form at Vizag. Last time they played on this ground, India decimated New Zealand by a big margin under the captaincy of MS Dhoni.
It will be last chance for Shreyas Iyer, Dinesh Karthik, Manish Pandey to fight for number 4 slots. Team India would be bringing Kuldeep Yadav in place of Washington Sundar.
For Sri Lanka, the openers must give a solid start. They might think of bringing Kusal Perera replacing Thirimanne. It promises to be an exciting encounter with India looking to end the year on a high or Sri Lanka winning their maiden ODI series in India.
Playing XI for India: Rohit Sharma (C), Shikhar Dhawan, Shreyas Iyer, Dinesh Karthik, Manish Pandey, MS Dhoni (WK), Hardik Pandya, Kuldeep Yadav/Washington Sundar, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Yuzvendra Chahal
Playing XI for Sri Lanka: Upul Tharanga, Gunathilaka, Kusal Perera/Thirimanne, Angelo Mathews, Niroshan Dickwella, Gunaratne, Thisara Perera (C), Akila Danajaya, Sachitra Pathirana, Surgana Lakmal, Nuwan Pradeep.
