India vs Sri Lanka Match Prediction: Who will win today's 2nd T20I match?
Pathum Nissanka showcased his improved power-hitting. Kusal Mendis stroked a few delightful boundaries after playing second fiddle in the powerplay. Matheesha Pathirana reinforced his status as one of the world's best death bowlers with a four-fer. Wanindu Hasaranga bowled a threatening four-over spell in the middle overs.
But none of that was enough for Sri Lanka as they fell short by 43 runs in the first T20I against India in Pallekele on Saturday, July 27. The modern cricketing calendar is unforgiving, and they don't have much time to lick their wounds. The series is on the line on Sunday, July 28.
They probably knew it already, but Sri Lanka got an idea of how complete their performance needs to be if they are to beat the visitors. In the post-Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli era, the Men in Blue are an even more fearless outfit with a new aggressive management at the helm.
Even without Jasprit Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav, India are the outright favorites against a Sri Lankan outfit that is going through a period of transition. Can Suryakumar Yadav and Co. seal the series on Sunday? Or will Sri Lanka threaten them once again, like they did during phases of the opening game?
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Dilshan Madushanka, Maheesh Theekshana, and Asitha Fernando were picked apart by Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill in the first T20I's powerplay, and that set the tone for the rest of the game. Pallekele hasn't been too friendly to the fast bowlers over the last two months, and that's an area of concern for the hosts.
Sri Lanka's pace reinforcements have been bitten by the injury bug, and they haven't named like-for-like replacements. If Madushanka and Fernando fail to hit the right areas with the new ball, Hasaranga and Pathirana might have too much on their hands for the second game running.
Even otherwise, though, it isn't looking too promising for the hosts. India managed to win the series opener despite many of their key players, including Rishabh Pant, Ravi Bishnoi, and Hardik Pandya, being far from their best. Once the cogs start turning in unison, the Men in Blue will be even tougher to beat.
Anything can happen in a game of cricket, and Sri Lanka have enough talent in their ranks to pull off an upset. However, India are the runaway favorites for this clash.
Prediction: India to win the 2nd T20I vs Sri Lanka.