India take on Sri Lanka as Suryakumar Yadav won the toss and elected to field first in their second T20I at Pallekele stadium on July 28. India got the better of Sri Lanka by 43 runs in the first T20I to lead the series 1-0. Meanwhile Shubman Gill sat out of the second T20I as Sanju Samson made a comeback in India's playing XI. Gill missed the match due to neck spasm. Sri Lanka also made one change in their playing XI as Ramesh Mendis came in for Dilshan Madhushanka.
What did the captains say?
After winning the toss, India captain Suryakumar Yadav, said:
“We will look to bowl first. There is a bit of weather around and the wicket played better in the second innings. There are always areas to improve even when you win a game, you keep learning and you keep improving. Gill misses out as he woke up with a back spasm, Samson comes in.”
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka skipper Charith Asalanka after the toss, said:
“We are good to bat first. We have one change, Ramesh Mendis comes in for Dilshan Madhushanka. The first three batters really well and the only concern is the line of the bowlers. It is a used pitch and hopefully spin will come into play in the later part.”
India's Playing XI:
Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson, Suryakumar Yadav(c), Rishabh Pant(w), Hardik Pandya, Riyan Parag, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohammed Siraj
Sri Lanka's Playing XI:
Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis(w), Kusal Perera, Kamindu Mendis, Charith Asalanka(c), Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Ramesh Mendis, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana, Asitha Fernando
Head to Head
With a 20-9 head-to-head record in favor of India, the two cricketing nations have clashed 30 times in the T20I format. One of their encounters was inconclusive as it ended with no result.
Sri Lanka will look to make a comeback in the second T20I in order to stay alive in the series.
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