IND vs SL, 2nd ODI: Preview, Prediction, Fantasy Tips

Indian team after Pathum Nissanka's wicket at Guwahati

The Year 2023 began sensationally for the Rohit Sharma-led Indian lineup as they outclassed the Lankan Lions after putting a batting masterclass in Guwahati. 

In the first game, arguably India's best ODI batter, Virat Kohli registered his 73rd international century, when he was highly accompanied by Rohit (83) and Shubman Gill (70). As a result, the Men in Blue registered their highest ODI total at the stadium - 373-7. 

The Indian bowlers were top-flight with the new cherry, as they scalped the first three wickets within 64 runs. However, their age-old problem of not picking wickets with the older ball reoccurred. 

Pathum Nissanka and Dhananjaya de Silva showed enough grit against the Men in Blue, however; it was Dasun Shanaka who emerged as the showstopper for the visitors.

Even after the conclusion of the T20I series, the home bowlers haven't found a solution to break Shanaka, as the Lankan skipper registered his second ever ODI ton on Tuesday. 

On a short flight to Kolkata, the Indian think tank would have to come up with a tough rejoinder for the Lankan captain. 

Match Details

Date and Time: January 12, 1.30 PM IST
Venue: Eden Gardens, Kolkata
Live Streaming: Star Sports Network and Disney+ Hotstar

Pitch Report: The surface in Eden Gardens will be batting-friendly, having decent help for the spinners in the first half and pacers in the latter half. Dew will play a huge role, but teams batting first have won in the last five encounters played at Eden. So, the toss-winner could be fickle-minded. 

Predicted XIs

India: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Umran Malik, Yuzvendra Chahal.

Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Avishka Fernando, Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka (c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Kasun Rajitha, Dilshan Madushanka/Lahiru Kumara 

Cricket Exchange fantasy Tips

Wicket-keepers: Kusal Mendis
Batters: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Dasun Shanaka, Pathum Nissanka, Shubman Gill
All-Rounders: Dhananjaya de Silva, Axar Patel
Bowlers: Kasun Rajitha, Mohammed Siraj, Umran Malik

Captain: Virat Kohli
Vice Captain: Umran Malik

Prediction

India have the home advantage and are high on confidence. Therefore, we reckon the hosts will seal the game and series on Thursday.

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