Sri Lanka vs West Indies Match Preview, 2nd T20I

West Indies defeated Sri Lanka by nine runs in the first T20I of the series. The hosts failed to get a good start with the bat, which put pressure on the middle order but captain Charith Asalanka and Kamindu Mendis stitched a strong partnership to bring them back into the contest. Sri Lanka eventually posted 179 runs on the board, which seemed enough but the West Indies openers stole the show in Dambulla.

Evin Lewis and Brandon King stitched a 107-run partnership, which sealed the West Indies' fate. Lewis made 50 off 28 deliveries, while King smashed 63 runs off 33. The duo got the job done for the team, but the team needs to address plenty of things ahead of the second T20I.

West Indies’ middle order flopped massively in the first game, which is one area the team management needs to address. They missed the services of Nicholas Pooran, Shimron Hetmyer and Andre Russell, as all three of them have been rested for the series. In their absence, West Indies had Roston Chase, Rovman Powell and Sherfane Rutherford, but they failed to impress.

Sri Lanka meanwhile would be eyeing to make a strong comeback in the series. They need their top order to succeed, otherwise it would be difficult for them. Capitalizing the powerplay holds importance and the players need to finish well too. There are a lot of expectations for Wanindu Hasaranga as well but the all-rounder failed to deliver in the first T20I.

Match Details

Pitch Report

The surface in Dambulla is a decent track for the batters. Bowling first will be ideal as dew can play a part in the second innings of the game. Anything over 185 runs can be decisive.

Predicted Playing XI

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka are unlikely to make any changes to their playing XI. However, if they end up changing the combination, Dunith Wellalage can replace Chamindu Wickramasinghe. Apart from that, the Three Lions would hope the seniors step up.

Predicted XI: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kusal Perera, Kamindu Mendis, Charith Asalanka (c), Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamindu Wickramasinghe, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana, Asitha Fernando.

West Indies

Despite not having many seniors in the squad, West Indies managed to pick up a win in the last game. They are unlikely to change their winning combination, which has given them the result in the first T20I.

Predicted XI: Evin Lewis, Brandon King, Shai Hope (wk), Roston Chase, Romario Shepherd, Rovman Powell (c), Sherfane Rutherford, Shamar Springer, Alzarri Joseph, Gudakesh Motie, Shamar Joseph.