IND vs SL 2017, 2nd ODI: Sri Lanka Bowls First In Mohali, Washington Sundar Debuts

Sri Lanka won the toss and decided to bowl first in the second One-Day International at the IS Bindra Stadium, Mohali.

The visitors have retained the same playing eleven which crushed India in the series-opener while the hosts have handed Washington Sundar his debut cap. The all-rounder has replaced left-arm spinner, Kuldeep Yadav.

Also Read: IND vs SL 2017: My Hard Work Has Paid Off, Says Washington Sundar

Here is what the captains said:

Thisara Perera –

“We would like to bowl first. It is overcast conditions, and we want to use it best. It was an amazing toss to win there, and the toss will decide the match I feel. I think this wicket is better than the last one. I know this surface well as I have played for Kings XI Punjab. This should be better to bat on. We had a nice practice session, and we are prepared well. We are unchanged.”

Rohit Sharma- 

“We would have bowled first. Overcast conditions and the surface is a bit sticky. We have to change our mindset and apply ourselves. That’s the most important thing and then, take it from there. Not just the last game but every game teaches you so many things. I mentioned at the press conference as well that we are a young group. The key is to learn quickly from the mistakes and hopefully, we won’t repeat them today. It is quite tempting the kind of skill he possesses that we have decided as a management that he is our top order batsman and didn’t want to shuffle with it. Not ideal to play around with anybody’s position. It is the opportunity for youngsters to step in. We have one change  Washington Sundar is making his debut in place of Kuldeep. We wish him all the best.”

Preview:

After being stunned in the first ODI in Dharamshala, Rohit Sharma & Co. will have to win the Mohali game at any cost to keep the series alive. The hosts were thoroughly outplayed in the series-opener, losing it by seven wickets and will have their task cut out against rejuvenated Sri Lanka.

On the other hand, the visitors will be looking to make the most of the momentum. The win in the first game saw them overcome their 12-match losing streak in the ODIs and they will be desperate to replicate the Dharamshala heroics in Mohali to register a historic series win.

Also Read: IND vs SL 2017: Sourav Ganguly Feels Ajinkya Rahane and KL Rahul Should Play in the ODI Setup

Here is the playing eleven of both the teams:

Sri Lanka:

Danushka Gunathilaka, Upul Tharanga, Lahiru Thirimanne, Angelo Mathews, Niroshan Dickwella(w), Asela Gunaratne, Thisara Perera(c), Sachith Pathirana, Suranga Lakmal, Akila Dananjaya, Nuwan Pradeep

India:

Rohit Sharma(c), Shikhar Dhawan, Shreyas Iyer, Dinesh Karthik, Manish Pandey, MS Dhoni(w), Hardik Pandya, Washington Sundar, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Yuzvendra Chahal

Also Read: IND vs SL 2017: We Want To Do Something Special, Says Thisara Perera