The first T20I match against Sri Lanka in Guwahati was abandoned due to rain. Though many efforts were done to dry the wet patches on the pitch, fans have to go home with huge disappointment. So, now the T20I series has been unofficially reduced to two-match series. India and Sri Lanka will now move to play the second T20I match.
Date: 07/01/2019
Venue: Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore
Youngsters waiting to utilise the opportunity:
Navdeep Saini and Shardul Thakur have got the chance after Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Deepak Chahar have surfaced with the injuries. Bhuvi has been detected with a sports hernia while Chahar has got the stress facture at the lower back. Meanwhile, Navdeep Saini and Thakur will give their best to gain their place in the senior team.
In place of Hardik Pandya who is recovering from the injury, the all-rounder Shivam Dube has also got the chance in this T20I squad. So, the youngsters will have to work hard to earn the place.
Also, the experienced Shikhar Dhawan has missed an opportunity as his place is in danger after KL Rahul recently gave prolific performances in the absence of him.
Lasith Malinga has a big responsibility
The veteran pacer Lasith Malinga can only be said as the power of the current Sri Lankan team. He has a big responsibility to prepare the team for the future, also keeping in mind the upcoming T20 World Cup assignment. As the new year has started, he has a new task to take the team to match-winning games.
Head To Head
| Team | Total matches | Win | Loss | Tie/no result |
| India | 17 | 11 | 5 | 0/1 |
| Sri Lanka | 17 | 5 | 11 | 0/1 |
Weather forecast
Unlike Guwahati, fans will not have to be disappointed due to the weather as no rain is expected during the second T20I match at Indore.
Pitch Condition
The Holkar Stadium is a profitable pitch for the batsmen. You will see big sixes hit from the batsmen while the bowlers will not get many assistants from the pitch. Toss winning team will like to bowl first as it is easy to chase runs in this field.
India’s Predicted XI
| Players | Role |
| Shikhar Dhawan | Opening Batsman |
| KL Rahul | Opening Batsman |
| Virat Kohli (c) | Batsman |
| Shreyas Iyer | Batsman |
| Rishabh Pant | Wk-batsman |
| Shivam Dube | All-rounder |
| Washington Sundar | All-rounder |
| Shardul Thakur | Bowler |
| Navdeep Saini | Bowler |
| Jasprit Bumrah | Bowler |
| Kuldeep Yadav | Bowler |
Sri Lanka’s Predicted XI
| Players | Role |
| Danushka Gunathilaka | Opening Batsman |
| Avishka Fernando | Opening Batsman |
| Kusal Perera | Wk-Batsman |
| Oshada Fernando | Batsman |
| Bhanuka Rajapaksa | Batsman |
| Dhananjaya de Silva | All-rounder |
| Dasun Shanaka | All-rounder |
| Isuru Udana | Bowler |
| Lasith Malinga(C) | Bowler |
| Lahiru Kumara | Bowler |
| Wanindu Hasaranga | Bowler |
Match Prediction
The Indian team has been dominant in T20Is against Sri Lanka. The Men in Blue are currently in the good sink and have performed very well in the shortest format while Sri Lanka has to always struggle against Indian. Especially to defeat the Indian team in the home ground is a tough task.
Where To Watch
TV – Star Sports 1 and Star Sports 1 HD
Online– Hotstar
Time– 7 PM IST