The only action seen in the opening match of the T20I series between India and Sri Lanka in Guwahati was the toss and the ground staff trying to dry the pitch with hairdryers.
The no result first up means that in the context of the series, the second match in Indore is crucial.
Photo Copyright – Steve Haag Sports
Second T20I | Tuesday 7 January 2020 | Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore | 15:30
To Win Match
India 21/100
Tie 35/1
Sri Lanka 34/10
India
The hosts are the overwhelming favourites but with that status comes pressure to put Sri Lanka away with ease.
India may have a pretty good idea who will be in their T20 World Cup squad, but management have shown that performances are rewarded.
Rishabh Pant hasn’t won over the critics just yet despite being the anointed replacement for MS Dhoni.
Fringe players Shreyas Iyer and Sanju Samson will also be keen to use their moments to shine well. Those opportunities may be limited if the established players like skipper Virat Kohli, Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma fire.
Jasprit Bumrah will have to wait a few more days for his return to action even though he officially earned a T20I cap for being named in the XI in Guwahati.
Sri Lanka
There was no room for the returning Angelo Mathews in Russell Domingos’ Sri Lanka team named to face India in the first T20I. Sri Lanka instead picked five specialist batsmen and three allrounders.
Mathews might earn a place in the team if the pitch in Indore doesn’t look friendly to the spin of allrounder Dhananjaya de Silva.
Sri Lanka are showing great faith in the middle-order pairing of Oshada Fernando and Bhanuka Rajapaksa who did well in Pakistan.
Lasith Malinga has to manage his own ambitions alongside the entire bowling attack, although it is likely his overs will come up front and then at the very death.
Verdict: India 21/100
The hosts should dominate.
Written by James Richardson for Hollywoodbets
