Aiming to go one better after tying the first ODI in dramatic circumstances, Sri Lanka chose to bat in the second match of the series. Charith Asalanka, their captain, had no hesitation in making the decision: the pitch at the R Premadasa Stadium is expected to play similarly to the one that hosted Friday’s series-opener, and provide increasing help for the spinners as the match progresses.
Sri Lanka made two changes. One was a forced legspinner-for-legspinner swap, with Jeffrey Vandersay replacing Wanindu Hasaranga who is out of the series with a hamstring injury. The other seemed to reflect the conditions Sri Lanka expect, with batting allrounder Kamindu Mendis, who bowls spin, replacing the fast bowler Mohamed Shiraz, who made his debut in the first ODI.
This left Sri Lanka with just the one frontline seamer in Asitha Fernando – they also have the part-time medium-pace of Janith Liyanage if needed – and five spin options including Asalanka, a part-timer who picked up three wickets in the first ODI, including two in two balls to seal the tie.
India named an unchanged XI, with their captain Rohit Sharma stressing on the need for adaptability as he looked ahead to another chase in challenging conditions.
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