Pitch Curator at Holkar Stadium in Indore Feels that Batting 2nd Won't be a Bad Option for Either Teams

The 2^nd T20I between India and Sri Lanka is expected to be a batting paradise, and a score of over 180 might be par for the course. The dew factor came back to peg the Lankans in the opening T20I as they were unable to grip the ball. In hindsight, both teams found it difficult to grip the ball. However, the Men in Blue used their variations which neutralised the dew effect. They mostly relied on their pace variations which yielded them positive results.

Meanwhile, Madhya Pradesh CA curator Samandar Singh Chouhan who has prepared the strip for the 2^nd T20I said that despite a high scoring belter, bowling wouldn’t be a bad option for the team that wins the toss today. Unlike the Barabati Stadium where dew affected proceedings straight from ball one, the Holkar Stadium won’t be affected that much especially during the beginning of proceedings.

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“It was cloudy here yesterday and there is the same forecast for tomorrow. In that case, dew won’t fall before 7:30 or 7:45 which means first 10 overs won’t be affected by dew. Still, bowling first will be a good option for captain winning the toss,” Chouhan said.

“We have been using a chemical which prevents grass from getting wet. It causes dew to slip. We will use the substance tomorrow as well to negate the dew factor,” Chouhan further added.

Despite a two-faced surface at the Barabati, the Men in Blue managed to post a competitive 180/3 on the board at the end of their allotted 20 overs.

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Opener and comeback man KL Rahul was the star performer for the home team chipping in with a well composed 61 of 48 deliveries while it was the late impetus by MS Dhoni and Manish Pandey which propelled the hosts to a score of 180. While chasing Sri Lanka was never in the game as they kept losing wickets at regular intervals.

Leggie Yuzvendra Chahal and left-arm chinaman Kuldeep Yadav was the pick of the Indian bowlers bagging four wickets and two wickets respectively. The Men in Blue will look to win the 2^nd T20I and take an unassailable lead in the three-match series.

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