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2nd ODI: India hoping to capitalise on positive start to series
Having commenced the new season with a comfortable victory in the first ODI, favourites India will be aiming to keep up the momentum when they take on hosts Sri Lanka in the second cricket ODI in Hambantota.
India cruised to a 21-run win against the islanders in the opening ODI -- courtesy the in-form Virat Kohli who smashed 106 and senior batsman Virender Sehwag who made a significant contribution with an innings of 96.
The strip at the Mahinda Rajapaksa Stadium, where the first ODI was played, was a typical limited overs pitch with the batsmen having a field day.
It is a wicket where 'win the toss and bat first' is the mantra for all captains and Mahendra Singh Dhoni didn't think twice before deciding to bat first.
For India, it will be an advantage of sorts as Sri Lanka's most consistent new-ball bowler in recent times, Nuwan Kulasekara is out of the series with a groin injury sustained while trying to attempt a catch during the first ODI.
Sehwag, Kohli high in confidence
All eyes will again be on man-of-the-moment Kohli, who has now scored four centuries in his last five appearances and is in the form of his life.
It would certainly boost his confidence that he has started the new season with a flawless century.
Ditto for Virender Sehwag, who had skipped the Asia Cup due to injury and was keen to get a headstart in what will shape up to be a long and hard season for Team India.
Gautam Gambhir will be keen to shrug off the disappointment of getting out cheaply in the first match and make amends.
Suresh Raina and skipper Dhoni have always been pretty consistent in the shorter formats and their valuable contribution at the death overs certainly made a lot of difference.Rohit's poor form a worry for team India
Rohit Sharma's indifferent form, however, sticks out like a sore thumb amid the good batting form of his teammates.
Having scored only two centuries in 81 ODIs certainly doesn't do justice to his enormous promise. A poor average of 32-plus is something that should definitely worry Rohit as he goes about trying to transform talent into match-winning performances.
However, it is unlikely that the Indian team management would tinker with the playing XI for at least another couple of matches unless they are forced to due to injury concerns.Irfan adds balance to the squad
Skipper Dhoni will, however, want his bowlers to up the ante after being penalised for slow over-rate in the last match.
All-rounder Irfan Pathan's presence in the side lends the necessary balance. Although his pace has dropped considerably his ability to get movement with the new ball is something that adds dimension to the attack.
This can put paid to the plans of Sri Lanka's attacking opening batsman Tillakaratne Dilshan.
The Indians will also have to counter Kumar Sangakkara, who hit a splendid 133 in the last match but ran out of partners.
Dilshan and skipper Mahela Jayawardene are the players who are not known to go through prolonged bad patch and on their day can destroy any bowling attack in world cricket.R Ashwin was best bowler for India
Senior pacer Zaheer Khan and young Umesh Yadav got some stick in the earlier match and will strive to be more economical.
Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin had the best figures in the match and did an admirable job to contain the batsmen in the middle overs.
Comeback man Pragyan Ojha did get hit by Sangakkara but getting the valuable wicket of Jayawardene would have certainly done his confidence a world of good.
Squads (from):
Sri Lanka: Mahela Jayawardene (capt), Angelo Mathews (vice-capt), Tillakaratne Dilshan, Kumar Sangakkara, Upul Tharanga, Dinesh Chandimal (wk), Thisara Perera, Lahiru Thirimanne, Lasith Malinga, Chamara Kapugedera, Rangana Herath, Sachithra Senanayake, Jeevan Mendis, Isuru Udana.
India: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (capt), Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli (vice-captain), Rohit Sharma, Suresh Raina, Irfan Pathan, Ravichandran Ashwin, Zaheer Khan, Umesh Yadav, Pragyan Ojha, Ajinkya Rahane, Manoj Tiwary, Rahul Sharma, Ashok Dinda.