Sri Lanka v India, 2nd ODI – Match Result Predictions

The action moved to the ODIs but the nightmares for the hosts didn’t end as India thumped them in a one-sided win in the first match. Once more, Sri Lanka were no match to the might of India and were literally blown away. Now the second ODI will be played in Pallekele but would we see any different results there?

Sri Lanka began well in Dambulla after winning the toss when the openers Niroshan Dickwella and Danushka Gunathilaka added 74 runs for the first wicket. At 150/2, they looked set to get past 300 but as Kusal Mendis got out, India pounced on the opportunity and halted them to just 216 all out.

The chase for India was all about two Delhi-lads – Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli. The duo added 197 runs for the second wicket and took the side past the line in just the 29th over. Where Dhawan scored 132 off just 90 balls, the skipper made 82 off 70 to thrash the Lankans.

Here is what Crictracker predicts for the game:

Scenario 1: Sri Lanka wins the toss

Toss prediction: Sri Lanka will choose to bowl first

First innings score prediction: 320-330

Result prediction: India will win the match by more than 50 runs

Scenario 2: India wins the toss

Toss prediction: India will choose to bowl first

First innings score prediction: 260-270

Result prediction: India will win the match by 6 wickets

Head to Head Record

Overall: Total Matches – 157, India Won – 84, Sri Lanka Won – 55, No Result/Tied – 18

Matches in Sri Lanka: Total Matches – 63, India Won – 24, Sri Lanka Won – 27, No Result/Tied – 12

Sri Lanka are ahead in terms of victories at home against India but by only just. The kind of form Indian team has shown on the tour, they might lead there too in this series itself. We can expect a better display from the hosts but the visitors should still be the stronger troop.

Playing Combinations:

Sri Lanka

The opener Niroshan Dickwella was the sole bright spot in the previous game as he scored a handy 64. Gunathilaka and Kusal Mendis got out in the 30s that hurt them the most. Angelo Mathews played a fighting knock of unbeaten 36 but he kept losing partners at the other end. Sri Lanka would need a big contribution from the skipper Upul Tharanga if they stand a chance.

The bowlers had a terrible time against Dhawan and Kohli who were unflustered against both pacers and spinners. The Lankan bowlers didn’t have too much on the board to defend yet they looked clueless against the 2 classy batsmen. They need to step up big time or else it could well be a repeat of the previous game.

Predicted XI: Upul Tharanga(c), Niroshan Dickwella(wk), Danushka Gunathilaka, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Matthews, Chamara Kapugedera, Thisara Perera, Lakshan Sandakan, Wanidu Hasaranga, Lasith Malinga, Dushmanta Chameera

India

Rohit Sharma would be kicking himself to miss out on an opportunity to spend some valuable time in the middle as he got out run-out unfortunately. But Dhawan and Kohli made sure there were no further losses and took the side past the line quite comfortably. One area where India would want exposure is in the middle-order where they want to experiment with KL Rahul at No.4.

Talking about the bowling, the new ball bowlers Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Hardik Pandya didn’t find any help from the surface and as a result, the Sri Lankan openers got away in the powerplay. But the spinners brought back the control as Axar Patel bagged 3 wickets and Yuzendra Chahal and Kedar Chahal took 2 apiece. Although Kohli hinted towards experimenting yet it’s unlikely that there would be any changes to the XI.

Predicted XI: Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli(c), KL Rahul, MS Dhoni(wk), Kedar Jadhav, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Yuzvendra Chahal

India’s campaign has been daunting over the hosts. Sri Lanka haven’t looked like competing with them at any stage. Given the current state of the 2 teams, it’s India that’s in a better shape to win again.

To conclude, India are again the favorites to win and should be able to get through comfortably.

Do let us know your predictions in the comments section below.