India v Sri Lanka, 2nd T20I - Result Predictions

India have started off the proceedings of the T20 series against Sri Lanka on a high by winning the very first encounter with conviction. Not only did they perform superbly in all quarters of the game, but were also able to outfox the Lankans to steal a 93-run victory over the visitors. The second match of the 3-match T20I series is all set to take place at the Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore on December 22 (Friday).

Here’s what CricTracker predicts for the game:

Scenario 1: India win the toss

Toss Prediction: India will choose to bowl first

First Innings Score Prediction: 110-120

Result Prediction: India will win the match by 7 wickets

Scenario 2: Sri Lanka win the toss

Toss Prediction: Sri Lanka will choose to bowl first

First Innings Score Prediction: 185-195

Result Prediction: India will win the match by 40-50 runs

Head to Head Record

Total matches played – 12, India won – 8, Sri Lanka won – 4, No Result/ Tied – 0.

Sri Lanka will have to fight tooth and nail if they want to go back from this tour with some grace and dignity. Having lost the Test and ODI series previously, this game is a must-win for the visitors, who will be desperate to level the series and hunt for a possible series victory in the third game. On the other hand, India will be eager to wrap up the series without further ado, by gaining an unassailable lead of 2-0 in Friday’s match.

India

India delivered an all-round clinical performance in the first T20 and will look to continue in the same strain. The opening pair can be the explosive duo of Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul, followed by young and impressive Shreyas Iyer, Dinesh Karthik and the flamboyant Manish Pandey in the middle-order. The experienced MS Dhoni can be entrusted with the keeping duties as well as the onus of finishing the Indian innings on a high, as he did in the last game.

The wiry Hardik Pandya can shoulder the important all-rounding role. Jasprit Bumrah and Jaydev Unadkat can constitute the pace pair while the ‘Player of the Match’ from the previous game, Yuzvendra Chahal and China-man Kuldeep Yadav can fulfil the spin responsibilities.

Predicted XI: Rohit Sharma (C), Lokesh Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Manish Pandey, Dinesh Karthik, MS Dhoni (wk), Hardik Pandya, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah, Jaydev Unadkat, Kuldeep Yadav

Sri Lanka

Although Sri Lanka had far from a desirable performance in their previous outing, shuffling the playing XI at this stage of the series may not necessarily reap good results. The opening combination for the Lankans can be made up by Upul Tharanga and Niroshan Dickwella. There are plenty of options in the batting as Sri Lankans can rely on Kusal Perera, Angelo Mathews, Asela Gunaratne and the skipper, himself for unleashing their power with the willow.

Apart from all-rounder Sachith Pathirana and Dasun Shanaka, Dushmantha Chameera and Nuwan Pradeep can serve as the front-line pacers, while Akila Dananjaya can be entrusted with the spin responsibilities.

Predicted XI: Thisara Perera (C), Upul Tharanga, Angelo Mathews, Kusal Perera, Niroshan Dickwella, Asela Gunaratne, Dasun Shanaka, Sachith Pathirana, Akila Dananjaya, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Pradeep

The prediction is for India to win the match and clinch the T20 series in the second game, itself.

Do let us know of your predictions in the comments section below.