3 things to look forward to in the 2nd India vs Sri Lanka ODI ft. Virat Kohli's Colombo love affair
The second ODI between India and Sri Lanka, scheduled at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Sunday, August 4, is already upon us. The unforgiving international cricket calendar has thrown up another series with barely any room for breathing between matches.
In the series opener 48 hours ago, Sri Lanka held on for a tie. Charith Asalanka picked up a couple of wickets off successive deliveries to restrict India to 230, equaling Sri Lanka's total. The Men in Blue will be keen on doing better this time around, with recent matches between the two teams having been competitive and interesting.
On that note, here are three things to look forward to in the second ODI between India and Sri Lanka.
#3 Virat Kohli usually loves batting at Colombo
India's leading run-scorer at the 2023 World Cup, Virat Kohli got off to a start in the first ODI but couldn't carry on. He was trapped in front by a delivery from Wanindu Hasaranga that went on with the arm.
Kohli has an excellent record at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, with four centuries in his last six ODI innings. The great man generally has an excellent record at any venue he plays at, but he particularly likes the ground despite its spin-friendly nature and slightly tacky surface.
Kohli won't be kept out of the runs for too long at one of his happy hunting grounds.
#2 Sri Lanka's middle-order batters need to support Pathum Nissanka and Co.
The series opener saw Pathum Nissanka and Dunith Wellalage come up with sensational knocks to take India to a defendable total. Both players have starred for the Lankan Lions over the last year or so in ODIs, but they haven't had enough support from the rest of the batting lineup.
In the second ODI, Sri Lanka will need the likes of Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, and captain Asalanka to chip in. All three are decent players of spin, with Samarawickrama in particular having played with a variety of great knocks on challenging surfaces.
If these batters can step up, it'll be hard to stop Sri Lanka despite them being up against a significantly stronger side in India.
#1 Is Mohammed Siraj due?
Kohli isn't the only player who loves playing against Sri Lanka. Mohammed Siraj has one of the most enviable bowling records against the Lankan Lions in the ODI format, but he hasn't been in his best rhythm lately.
Siraj showed glimpses of his threatening best in the first ODI, beating the bat plenty of times in the powerplay and asking questions of the Sri Lankan top order. However, only one wicket fell his way and he went for a few runs in the latter stages of the innings.
Siraj has excellent head-to-head records against most of Sri Lanka's batters and will be in the spotlight on Sunday. Can he come up with a vintage performance to make the spinners’ job easier?