Another thrilling contest is on the cards between Sri Lanka and India with the series in the balance. Sri Lanka (SL) finally managed to stop the Indian juggernaut, winning their first T20I in the country since 2016 to level the three-match series. It turned out to be a run-fest in Pune as India (IND) almost pulled off a miraculous heist chasing Sri Lanka's daunting target of 207 runs.
Date and Time:-January 7, 7:00 PM IST Telecast & Live Streaming:-Star Sports Network and Disney+Hotstar Venue:-Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Rajkot
The surface at Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium is a batter's friend with an average first-innings score of 179 runs. However, the pacers are expected to get some assistance with the new ball, making life difficult for the batters. The team winning the toss will be inclined to bat first given the nature of the surface.
Sri Lankan skipper Dasun Shanaka's love affair with the Indian team continued in the second T20I as he smashed the Indian bowlers to all parts of the ground, registering the fastest half-century by a Sri Lankan in T20Is. He has been in tremendous form with the bat, and the hosts will need to find a way to keep him quiet in the series decider, something that looks unlikely at the moment.
There is a new speedster on the blocks, and he is terrorizing batters one game at a time. Umran Malik might go for runs, but he provides a wicket-taking opportunity to his skipper Hardik Pandya, making him an invaluable asset. He scalped three wickets in the second T20I, with the wicket of Wanindu Hasaranga being the highlight of his spell as he sent the Sri Lankan spinner's off stump for a walk.