India Opt to Bowl First in Second T20I Against Sri Lanka
After a 45-minute delay due to intermittent rain, India captain Suryakumar Yadav won the toss and elected to bowl first in the second T20I against Sri Lanka in Pallekele. The start of the match was pushed back to 7.45pm local time.
Yadav explained that the wet weather conditions influenced his decision to chase. India made a forced change, with Sanju Samson replacing vice-captain Shubman Gill, who woke up with a neck spasm.
Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka expressed indifference about batting first, despite the match being a must-win for his team after losing the opening T20I. The hosts also made one change, bringing in offspin-bowling allrounder Ramesh Mendis for left-arm fast bowler Dilshan Madushanka.
Mendis, who was not initially part of Sri Lanka’s squad, was added as a standby due to illness and injury. His recent form has been impressive, including an unbeaten 30 off 11 balls and 2 for 10 in his last T20 game for Kandy Falcons in the LPL.
Team Lineups:
India:
* Yashasvi Jaiswal
* Sanju Samson
* Suryakumar Yadav (capt)
* Rishabh Pant (wk)
* Riyan Parag
* Hardik Pandya
* Rinku Singh
* Axar Patel
* Arshdeep Singh
* Ravi Bishnoi
* Mohammed Siraj
Sri Lanka:
* Kusal Mendis (wk)
* Pathum Nissanka
* Kusal Perera
* Kamindu Mendis
* Charith Asalanka (capt)
* Dasun Shanaka
* Wanindu Hasaranga
* Ramesh Mendis
* Maheesh Theekshana
* Matheesha Pathirana
* Asitha Fernando
