Hardik Pandya's men take on Sri Lanka with a motive to seal the three-match series as India won the toss and opted to bowl first in the second T20I at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune on Thursday (January 5).
India skipper Pandya dropped Harshal Patel from playing XI while star batter Rahul Tripathi debuted for Team India. Arshdeep Singh who missed the first T20I also came back to India's playing XI for the second T20I.
Sanju Samson has been ruled out of the series for India after hurting his left knee in the first T20I against Islanders. However, his absence paved the way for Tripathi, who has already showed his batting prowess in the IPL 2022 playing for Sunrisers Hyderabad.
“Going to bowl first. Thought that the dew might come later, and the wicket looks good and shouldn't change. Oh I didn't know that (teams batting first have better record here). Happy with the way we bowled and fielded. At the Wankhede to defend 160, bowlers did a great job. Tripathi makes his debut. Arshdeep comes back,” Pandya said after winning the toss.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka skipper Dasun Shanaka said," Stats suggest batting first is better. Would've batted. Important for top order to click in. I think players will do well in this game."
Pitch Report
"Pitch is almost in the centre of the square, so no biases to any side. This pitch kind of assists seam bowlers a little more. It's nice and firm. Because of the openness of this venue, it's quite windy, which also helps seamers. There's very little dew factor as well. One of those rare venues where you want to bat first," former India cricketer Deep Dasgupta analyses the pitch.
India (Playing XI): Ishan Kishan(w), Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav, Rahul Tripathi, Hardik Pandya(c), Deepak Hooda, Axar Patel, Shivam Mavi, Umran Malik, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal.
Sri Lanka (Playing XI): Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis(w), Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dasun Shanaka(c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Kasun Rajitha, Dilshan Madushanka.
