After a real surprise in the first T20I at Pune on Tuesday, where the Indian team were blown away by an inexperienced Sri Lankan side, the hosts will be eager to prove a point at Ranchi. Coming into a series on a high after whitewashing Australia in a T20I series, the famed Indian batting line-up had no answers to the Sri Lankan quick bowlers on a green pitch.
Playing in captain MS Dhoni’s hometown Ranchi, the Men in Blue will want to level the scores. India should be mindful that they will lose the number one spot in the ICC T20I Rankings if they lose on Friday.
India vs Sri Lanka 2016 live streaming details
TV Channel: Star Sports 1, HD1 (English) and 3, HD3 (Hindi)
Online Stream: www.starsports.com
Date: February 12, Friday
Time: 07:30 PM IST
Venue: JSCA International Stadium Complex, Ranchi
For live scores and updates, visit Sportskeeda’s live card.
Team News
India
The absence of Virat Kohli in the Indian batting line-up was exposed by the young Sri Lankan fast bowlers. Despite this, one would be very surprised if there are changes made to the batting line-up. Manish Pandey, the reserve batsman in the squad will most probably have to sit out again as there isn’t much to gain as he isn’t part of the World T20 squad.
On the other hand, we can expect a spinner – most likely to be Harbhajan Singh – to replace Hardik Pandya.
Sri Lanka
Experienced batsman Tillakaratne Dilshan, who missed the first T20I is likely to play in this game. Left-handed batsman Danushka Gunathilaka is expected to make way for Dilshan at the top of the order. It is unlikely that Dilhara Fernando will make his comeback to international cricket at Ranchi.
India Vs Sri Lanka 2nd T20 Squad (possible)
India XI
Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Ajinkya Rahane, Suresh Raina, Yuvraj Singh, MS Dhoni (c, wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Harbhajan Singh, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ashish Nehra, Jasprit Bumrah.
Sri Lanka XI
Dinesh Chandimal (c), Tillakaratne Dilshan, Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Seekkuge Prasanna, Milinda Siriwardana, Chamara Kapugedera, Dasun Shanaka, Thisara Perera, Kasun Rajitha, Sachithra Senanayake, Dushmantha Chameera.
Pitch & Conditions
After the green pitch in Pune, one expects the Ranchi pitch to assist the spinners more. In the past in Indian Premier League matches, we have seen the pitch assist spinners and expect it to be no different this time around.
It is expected to be a cool evening in Ranchi, with temperatures expected to be around 21-25°C during the game.
Recent Form
Sri Lanka: W-L-L-L-W (most recent first)
India: L-W-W-W-NR
Key Stats
India has lost their last 3 completed T20Is at home
India and Sri Lanka played an ODI at the same venue in 2014, which India won
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