Big picture: Can Sri Lanka stage a comeback?

Rohit Sharma set a world-record score of 264 when India and Sri Lanka played an ODI at Eden Gardens in 2014. He appeared to be on track for a big hundred in the ODI on Tuesday in Guwahati, but he was bowled out for 83 off 67 balls. Still, Rohit playing his first game since his hand injury in Bangladesh was a big win for India.

Additionally, Rohit’s decisions regarding the playing XI were correct. He said that Shubman Gill was ahead of Ishan Kishan in the pecking order before the first ODI, even though Kishan had scored the fastest double-century in ODI cricket in his previous match. That was the case for a reason.

Since his return in July of last year, Gill had scored 638 runs at an average of 70.88 and a strike rate of 102.57, making him the world’s most prolific run-getter in one-day internationals heading into the first match. In Guwahati, he continued in the same vein, scoring 70 runs off 60 attempts.

Additionally, Rohit’s decisions regarding the playing XI were correct. He said that Shubman Gill was ahead of Ishan Kishan in the pecking order before the first ODI, even though Kishan had scored the fastest double-century in ODI cricket in his previous match. That was the case for a reason.

Tomorrow's match at #INDvsSL
Eden Garden
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— Ganesh Patil (@Ganeshkpatil_) January 11, 2023

Since his return in July of last year, Gill had scored 638 runs at an average of 70.88 and a strike rate of 102.57, making him the world’s most prolific run-getter in one-day internationals heading into the first match. In Guwahati, he continued in the same vein, scoring 70 runs off 60 attempts.

The absence of Suryakumar Yadav, who has been attracting attention with his T20I performances, was the other significant decision. Shreyas Iyer continued to play for India, and during the second innings, when the team was looking for quick runs to protect itself from dew, he made a helpful cameo.

India’s primary concern is that, with Axar Patel ranked No. The tail is too long, 7 with four bowlers following. Washington Sundar is sitting on the bench; the question is, who do they drop to make room for him?

There were some encouraging signs, despite the fact that Sri Lanka were outplayed in the first ODI. Dhananjaya de Silva contributed a 40-ball 47, Pathum Nissanka scored 72 at the top of the order, and Dasun Shanaka continued his good form with an unbeaten hundred.

Having said that, if they want to keep the series alive, their bowlers need to perform much better. However, due to the bowling unit’s lack of experience, it might not be easy. Dilshan Madushanka’s availability for Thursday’s match is also unknown. During the first One-Day International, the left-arm seamer injured his right shoulder while fielding. The results of his X-ray and MRI are still pending.

Form guide

India: WWLLL (last five completed ODIs, most recent first)

Sri Lanka: LWLLW

In the spotlight: Umran Malik and Wanindu Hasaranga

Umran Malik has been assigned the middle-overs enforcer role in the absence of Prasidh Krishna. In the first ODI, he went 3 for 57 from eight overs after impressing in the T20I series. Before Shanaka took him on at the last minute, he had numbers of 6-0-32-3 at one point. Now that he has improved his control, maybe it’s time to add some variations.

Wanindu Hasaranga will be the focal point from Sri Lanka’s perspective. He is one of the best spinners in T20I cricket, but his ODI record isn’t great. He has taken 39 wickets at an average of 36.51 in 35 ODIs. However, his team needs him to step up because he takes the most wickets.

Team news: Will India go unchanged?

Before the series, Rohit said India were not looking to chop and change. So expect them to go with an unchanged XI, especially after a win in the first game.

India (probable): 1 Rohit Sharma (capt), 2 Shubman Gill, 3 Virat Kohli, 4 Shreyas Iyer, 5 KL Rahul (wk), 6 Hardik Pandya, 7 Axar Patel, 8 Mohammed Shami, 9 Umran Malik, 10 Mohammed Siraj, 11 Yuzvendra Chahal

Sri Lanka could bring in Lahiru Kumara if Madushanka is unavailable. No other changes are expected.

Sri Lanka (probable): 1 Pathum Nissanka, 2 Avishka Fernando, 3 Kusal Mendis (wk), 4 Charith Asalanka, 5 Dhananjaya de Silva, 6 Dasun Shanaka (capt), 7 Wanindu Hasaranga, 8 Dunith Wellalage, 9 Chamika Karunaratne, 10 Kasun Rajitha, 11 Dilshan Madushanka/Lahiru Kumara

Pitch and conditions: Haze at Eden Gardens?

More than five years ago, India’s first-innings batsmen were all out for 252 at Eden Gardens. Australia, in response, folded for just 202 points. Rain is not predicted, but it may be hazy at times. The daytime temperature will be around 25°C, but the nighttime temperature could drop by more than 10°.

Stats and trivia

To surpass Mahela Jayawardene’s ODI run total of 12650 and climb to fifth place on the list of top run-getters in the format, Virat Kohli (12,584) needs 67 runs.

India has hosted 24 bilateral ODI series since the beginning of 2010. They have only lost three of those matches: in 2012 against Pakistan, in 2015 against South Africa, and in 2019 against Australia.

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In ODI cricket, Avishka Fernando is 31 runs short of 1000. Together with Upul Tharanga and Kusal Mendis, he will be the nation’s second-fastest to the landmark if he reaches it on Thursday in his 28th innings. With 27 innings, Sri Lanka’s Roy Dias holds the record.