The second T20I between Sri Lanka and India will be played on Tuesday in Colombo. India are leading the series 1-0 courtesy of their win in the series opener. Heading into this game, the Lankans would look to level the series hoping that their batsmen step up and score crucial runs to set up the game for their team. It was an inspiring performance from their bowlers in the last game as their batsmen failed to play the supporting role. India, on the other end, would look to win the game and seal yet another T20I series win. 

Sri Lanka vs India, 2nd T20I Preview

Sri Lanka

The side is struggling with injury concerns heading into the second game. Bhanuka Rajapaksha and Charith Asalanka, the two batters who have been in form for Sri Lanka have been hit by injuries. While Bhanuka is ruled out with a finger injury, Asalanka is a doubtful starter in the second game after suffering a hamstring injury. Pathum Nissanka is also doubtful after getting hit on his arms in the practice session. 

Amid the injury concerns, the Lankan bowling performance in the first T20I would give the side hope. Their spinners did a good job in the third ODI and followed it up in the first T20I to limit Team India under 170. Wanindu Hasaranga and Akila Dananjaya would like to repeat their performance in the second game as well.

Sri Lankan skipper Dasun Shanaka with his changeups did pose problems for the Indian batters as well. The bowling attack should back themselves to deliver the goods yet again in the second ODI. With key players injured, the Lankan side are expected to make some changes in their playing XI, albeit forceful.

India

 The Indian team is also in need of a batting rejig after the first T20I. This is an important game for Sanju Samson who has gotten into the bad habit of failing t0o convert his good starts. The management would keep their eyes on how he plays in the remaining two games.

The inability of the Indian batters to maximise the final overs remains another point of focus. Hardik Pandya, Ishan Kishan, and Krunal Pandya failed to cash in the final overs which meant that India were at least 30 short of their final total in the first game. Suryakumar Yadav, who was India’s top-scorer in the first game will leave for England along with Prithvi Shaw after the second game. 

Speaking about India’s bowlers, Bhuvneshwar Kumar was back to his best on Sunday. Deepak Chahar too was economical as was Varun Chakravarty on his T20I debut. With Hardik Pandya struggling with both ball and bat it makes a case for Kuldeep Yadav’s inclusion with the pitch assisting the spinners as well. The pair of Kuldeep and Chahal will be back again if the former is included in the playing XI.

Missed opportunities in the field came back to haunt the Indian team in the third and final ODI. Chances were missed in the first T20I as well. Shaw and Suryakumar dropped easy chances as Krunal Pandya let a few go through his legs in the boundary line. The Indian fielders should take a note of this as well as they take the field in the second game. 

No end to Sri Lanka’s troubles it seems. Bhanuka Rajapaksa ruled out of the series. Charith Asalanka doubtful with hamstring injury. Team waiting on scan results. Pathum Nissanka got hit in the arm in the nets yesterday and he too is doubtful.

— Rex Clementine (@RexClementine) July 26, 2021

Head To Head 

Of the 20 T20I matches played between these two nations, 14 have been won by India while Sri Lanka have managed to win only 5 games. Of the 15 T20I series played so far, ten have been won by India and Sri Lanka have managed to win only one.

Pitch & Weather Conditions

There are predictions of no rain in the second T20I. However, the weather is expected to be cloudy and gloomy. The pitch played out very well in the first T20I with batsmen getting time to score runs before the spinners came into play.

Change of pace will be the key in the second game as it was important in the first. A score of around 170-175 is expected to be par.

Squads

India

Shikhar Dhawan (Captain), Prithvi Shaw, Devdutt Padikkal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Suryakumar Yadav, Manish Pandey, Hardik Pandya, Nitish Rana, Ishan Kishan (Wicketkeeper), Sanju Samson (Wicketkeeper), Yuzvendra Chahal, Rahul Chahar, K Gowtham, Krunal Pandya, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy, Bhuvneshwar Kumar (Vice-captain), Deepak Chahar, Navdeep Saini, Chetan Sakariya

Sri Lanka

Dasun Shanaka (Captain), Dhananjaya De Silva (Vice Captain), Avishka Fernando, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Pathum Nissanka, Charith Asalanka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Ashen Bandara, Minod Bhanuka, Lahiru Udara, Ramesh Mendis, Chamika Karunaratne, Dushmantha Chameera, Lakshan Sandakan, Akila Dhananjaya, Shiran Fernando,Dhananjaya Lakshan, Ishan Jayaratne, Praveen Jayawickrema, Asitha Fernando, Kasun Rajitha, Lahiru Kumara, Isuru Udana

Also Read: Sri Lanka vs India 2nd T20I: Match Prediction – Who Will Win The Match?

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