India v Sri Lanka Second ODI Tips: The hitman is coming

• Eden Gardens another road

• Toss bias keeps tourists keen

• Rohit could go big

India v Sri Lanka
Thursday 12 January, 08:00
TV: Streamed on ESPN

Team news

Such is India batting power that they can afford to leave out Suryakumar Yadav and no-one raises and eyebrow. Just the 373 first-innings runs later and India's psotion as World Cup winners in waiting was strengthened in game one in Barsapara.

Yadav missed out because India recognise the need for six bowling options. Mohammad Shami at No 8 is, of course, a spot too high ordinarily but it doesn't matter on a road. Shami was the priciest of India's bowlers and it may be that he is replaced by Jasprit Bumrah.

Possible XI: Rohit, Gill, Kohli, Iyer, Rahul, Hardik, Axar, Shami, Umran, Siraj, Chahal

Dasun Shanaka continues to sparkle in this white-ball series. His ton gave the scorecard a respectable feel because Sri Lanka were never truly in the chase. If Shanaka doesn't pick up an IPL gig after this effort something's not right.

Sri Lanka could make spin changes here with one from Maheesh Theekshana and Jeffrey Vandersay in line to replace Dimuth Wellalage. Dilshan Madushanka managed only six overs so if he's got a niggle Lahiru Kumara stands by.

Possible XI: Nissanka, Avishka, Kusal, Asalanka, Dhananjaya, Shanaka, Hasaranga, Karunaratne, Theekshana, Rajitha, Lahiru

Pitch report

At Eden Gardens under lights the toss is crucial. From 18 completed matches 13 have been won by the side batting first. How many a team needs batting first is harder to call because there hasn't been an ODI played there since 2017. But it has a reputation as a flat one. Witness India's 404 against Sri Lanka in 2014. There have also been runs galore in T20s.

India could threaten 400 again batting first on this strip. Overs 320 and 330 are staples. Sportsbook go 6/4 and 3/1 respectively that both teams score 275 and 300. The 5/4 that a ton is scored is also noted.

How to play

India shortened up to 1.051/20 during their first-innings in game one. We expect more of the same if they bat first. They go off at 1.232/9 with Sri Lanka 5.004/1.

The hope, then, is that Sri Lanka get a chance to defend. They can bust 300 - and a bit more - as they have shown and their batting has been far from shabby on tour. A good effort could see their price come in sharply and a two-and-a-half-point swing is on the cards with the bias adding zip for their bowlers.

Tops value

We correctly identified Virat Kohli for top match bat and man of the match for game one. With India's batter set to dominate again, it could be that this is Rohit Sharma's turn.

He has a double ODI ton (against Lanka) and a T20 ton on this ground and looked in decent touch. Over 38.5 runs at 10/11 might be a gimme. The 10/3 for top match bat isn't quite right but the 8/1 for the gong has a better feel. Shubmann Gill at 12s on the same market is also a fancy. He also has a T20 ton at the venue.

For Lanka, Kusal Mendis has been reliable and he might be value to put things right following a duck. He gets a quote of 7/2 for top Sri Lanka bat. Shanaka is going for a fourth-straight top-bat win and is 11/2.