Sri Lanka vs India, 2017: 5 reasons why Sri Lanka lost the 2nd ODI

#2 A disappointing opening spell

Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma put up an opening partnership of 109 runs

The Sri Lankan bowlers looked hapless during the 109-run opening partnership between Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan. While Sharma scored a brisk half-century, Dhawan missed the same by a solitary run as Siriwardana dismissed him on 49.

A couple of early wickets would have meant lesser time and space for Dhoni and Kumar, but given that the revised target was only 231 runs, India wrapped up the game in the 42nd over.

The Pallekele International Stadium, historically, has been kinder to pacers than to spinners. Fast bowlers have grabbed more wickets at this venue than the spinners. But in the second ODI, none of the Sri Lankan fats bowlers could pick up wickets.