After a one-sided affair in the first ODI at Dambula, the focus now shifts to Pallekele where the two sides are scheduled to play the second ODI of the series. Not long ago the hosts suffered their worst test defeat at the same venue in the ongoing series which makes it all the more difficult for them to get back to winning ways.
Before the start of the second test between India & Srilanka in Colombo, all eyes were on Cheteshwar Pujara not only because he has been the pillar of the Indian batting in test cricket after the retirement of Stalwarts like Tendulkar, Dravid & VVS but also because he was set to play his 50th test match of his career.
After winning the toss India opted to bat as expected & the two openers – KL Rahul & Shikhar Dhawan started on a positive note especially Shikhar who continued his form from the first test and started scoring briskly. But when it looked like he was in for another big score, he fell for 35 trapped leg before to the right-arm offbreak spinner Dilruwan Perera.
After a clinical performance by India against the Lankans in the first test at Galle, the teams head to Colombo for the second match of the series.
India certainly go into the match with loads of confidence while Srilanka have lots to ponder upon. The Lankans not only have to find solutions in all the three departments ie batting, bowling and fielding but also have to tackle the injury concerns.
India : India go into the match with a happy headache over selection of their openers. KL Rahul who missed the first test in Galle due to sickness is fit & ready to play tomorrow. With Shikhar Dhawan hitting a blistering 190 in the first innings & dominating the Lankan attack, it would be unfair on him to be left out of the playing eleven.
Same is the case with Abhinav Mukund who made a decent contribution in the test match. Though he couldn’t score big in the 1st innings but made a vital contribution in the 2nd innings with a 81 runs knock and was brilliant in fielding as well. Leaving him out of the playing eleven would not be an encouraging sign for a youngster and this is where captain Kohli has to make a brave decision.
With KL, Dhawan & Mukund all three been strong contenders to start tomorrow, the possibility of India going with Dhawan & Mukund seems high as KL has just come out of injury and lacks match practice.
India do not need to tweak the team after a clinical performance & Kohli could stick with the same team for the Colombo test.
CRICNIK 