Big picture
In many senses, we didn’t really learn much from the first match. It was already known that Sri Lanka lack world-class batters. Although the likes of Avishka Fernando and Bhanuka Rajapaksa struck attractive boundaries, there was no one to hold the innings together. But for No. 8 Chamika Karunaratne’s unbeaten 43 off 35 balls, Sri Lanka may have stumbled to a truly sub-par total.
There was also no surprise in Shikhar Dhawan – a modern ODI behemoth – ending up the game’s top scorer. And India’s staggering batting depth was suspected too; their top order expected to flex against a Sri Lanka attack that has some talent but is woefully light on experience and direction. Still, the breathtaking confidence and striking ability of Prithvi Shaw, Ishan Kishan, and later, Suryakumar Yadav would have quickened pulses around the world. On its own, this young top order is a reason to tune in.
If Sri Lanka want to push India on Tuesday, there are a giant list of things they must correct. Their inability to rotate the strike against the spinners held them back during the middle overs, as batters played laboured block-or-bash innings; their fielding was poor, with two chances going down on the boundary; and while Dushmantha Chameera was good again with the new ball, they need to find a more reliable seam-bowling partner than Isuru Udana, who was taken apart in the powerplay and bowled only two overs.
Form guide
(completed matches, most recent first)
Sri Lanka LLLWL
India WWLWW
In the spotlight
Pitch and conditions
Expect another surface that offers plenty of turn, but remains pretty good for batting. Although showers can occasionally roll through at this time of year, the weather is expected to be good on Tuesday.
Team news
With Bhuvneshwar Kumar having been slightly off – particularly at the death – on Sunday, India may bring in Navdeep Saini.
India (possible): 1 Prithvi Shaw, 2 Shikhar Dhawan (capt.), 3 Ishan Kishan (wk), 4 Manish Pandey, 5 Suryakumar Yadav, 6 Hardik Pandya, 7 Krunal Pandya, 8 Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 9 Deepak Chahar, 10 Kuldeep Yadav, 11 Yuzvendra Chahal
Sri Lanka will probably rethink Udana’s presence in the team. Lahiru Kumara or Kasun Rajitha are likeliest to replace him.
Sri Lanka (possible) 1 Avishka Fernando, 2 Minod Bhanuka (wk), 3 Bhanuka Rajapaksa, 4 Dhananjaya de Silva, 5 Charith Asalanka, 6 Dasun Shanaka (capt.), 7 Wanindu Hasaranga, 8 Chamika Karunaratne, 9 Dushmantha Chameera, 10 Lakshan Sandakan, 11 Lahiru Kumara
Stats and trivia
- Dhawan became the second-fastest India batter to 6000 ODI runs, getting there in 140 innings. Only Hashim Amla (123 inns), Virat Kohli (136) and Kane Williamson (139) have been faster to the milestone.
- Sri Lanka have lost all but one of their nine completed ODIs this year.
- Kishan had also hit a half century on T20 international debut. The only other batter to achieve this double is South Africa’s Rassie van der Dussen.
Andrew Fidel Fernando is ESPNcricinfo’s Sri Lanka correspondent. @afidelf
Visit Today : 614
Visit Yesterday : 635