Hurt after the shocking defeat in the tournament-opener, India will be looking to get back to winning ways when they take on Bangladesh on Thursday (March 6).
India were thoroughly outplayed by Sri Lanka in the first game of the Nidahas Trophy on Tuesday. Asked to bat first, the Rohit Sharma-led side rode on Shikhar Dhawan’s 90 to post a competitive 174 for 5 in the allotted 20 overs.
However, the score turned out to be quite less in the end as Sri Lanka chased it down with 9 balls remaining. Kusal Perera starred with the bat for the hosts, scoring 66 off just 37 balls.
India will be desperate to move on from the defeat and return to winning ways when they lock horns against Bangladesh on Thursday.
So here we are taking a look at the playing eleven with which India can play the second game:
1. Rohit Sharma:
Even a change in opposition and conditions did not change Rohit Sharma’s fortunes with the bat. The India skipper had a wretched run with the bat in South Africa and the dismal run continued in the first game too as he was out for a four-ball duck.
With time running out for him, Rohit would be desperate to get back to his best form in the upcoming game.
2. Shikhar Dhawan:
Shikhar Dhawan’s stunning form in white-ball cricket continued in the tournament-opener too. With Rohit and Suresh Raina departing early, he took the onus on himself to guide India to a safe score and did it brilliantly.
Unlike Rohit, Shikhar Dhawan was in red-hot form in South Africa. And he batted similarly in the first game. He scored 90 off just 49 balls to help India recover from a stuttering start and post a good total on the board.
3. Suresh Raina:
The onus was on Suresh Raina to anchor the innings in the absence of some key players. However, the experienced campaigner failed to get going in the last game. Raina will be looking to do well against Bangladesh and help the team get back to winning ways.
4. Manish Pandey:
While Manish Pandey played the role of second fiddle well, he failed to up the ante. His 37-run knock helped India recover from the poor start but he used up 35 balls to score those runs. He too will be looking to score quickly in the upcoming game.
5. Rishabh Pant (wk):
Rishabh Pant once again failed to justify the hype surrounding him. He came during thee slog overs but could only manage to score run-a-ball 23 which ultimately cost the team. He will also be looking to make a mark in the upcoming game.
6. Dinesh Karthik:
The keeper-batsman came at a time when a handful of balls were left. He still managed to make a mark, scoring 13 off 6 to help India finish strongly. He also affected a brilliant stumping to dismiss the dangerous Kusal Perera.
7. Deepak Hooda:
With India struggling to finish strongly once again, this hard-hitting all-rounder from Baroda might make his debut against Bangladesh. Moreover, he can also chip in with some overs in the middle overs.
8. Axar Patel:
With Yuzvendra Chahal proving costly once again, Axar Patel might get a look in for the next game. Chahal managed to pick up a couple of wickets but could not stem the flow of runs as he conceded 37 runs off his four overs.
9. Washington Sundar:
Washington Sundar was the pick of the Indian bowler in the first game. He conceded 28 runs and gave India the first breakthrough by dismissing Kusal Mendis. He later dismissed the dangerous Kusal Perera to revive India’s slim hopes.
10. Mohammed Siraj:
With Shardul Thakur having a forgettable outing in the first game, Siraj looks set to make it to the playing eleven in the upcoming game. Shardul conceded 42 runs in 3.3 overs including the 27 runs in one over.
11. Jaydev Unadkat:
The left-arm pacer once again failed to deliver in the national jersey. He was hit for 35 runs in his four overs. The Saurashtra star would be desperate to bounce back in the next game.