We have opted for a fantasy cricket team based on the recent performances, overall impact, and credit points.
Pitch Report
The wicket at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium was on the slower side, owing to which the spinners ruled the roost by picking 7 out of 11 wickets. It is tough to see conditions changing dramatically going forward.
Teams
Probable XI for Sri Lanka: Chamari Athapaththu (c), Vishmi Gunaratne, Harshitha Madavi, Kavisha Dilhari, Nilakshi de Silva, Anushka Sanjeewani (wk), Inoka Ranaweera, Ama Kanchana, Oshadi Ranasinghe, Sugandika Kumari, Udeshika Prabodhani
Probable XI for India: Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Sabbhineni Meghana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Richa Ghosh (wk), Deepti Sharma, Pooja Vastrakar, Renuka Singh, Radha Yadav, Rajeshwari Gayakwad
Power Players
It was Radha Yadav’s 2 for 22 that swung the match in India’s favour. She dismissed Chamari Athapaththu and Harsihtha Madavi in a span of three balls immediately after the powerplay. Interestingly, she has dismissed the Sri Lankan skipper on four occasions for a mere 26 runs at the international level.
By bagging 3 wickets at a crucial juncture, Inoka Ranaweera ensured that India couldn’t get past the 140-run mark in the first T20I. Sri Lanka will be hoping for another spirited bowling performance from her going forward.
Although Jemimah Rodrigues made a return to international cricket in over seven months, she walked away with the Player of the Match award for scoring 36 off 27 balls. Her ability to play spin and pace with equal efficiency makes her a huge asset for India and fantasy players.
Smart Picks
Kavisha Dilhari’s strike rate dropped well below 100 in the first game, but her knock of 47 helped several fantasy players nudge ahead.
Along with Radha Yadav, spinners Deepti Sharma and Shafali Verma too will have a huge role to play on the slower wicket at Dambulla. Verma also opened the batting and scored a handy 31.
Chamari Athapaththu might have failed in the first match, but she remains the biggest hope with the bat for her side. In her last 10 T20Is, she has collected 348 runs, including the highest score of 86.
Smriti Mandhana remains a crucial player for India at the top. Unfortunately, though, she doesn’t have great numbers in the T20 format against Sri Lanka. In 13 innings, she averages a paltry 12.
Harmanpreet Kaur made a brisk 22 before she was trapped by Oshadi Ranasinghe. Before this series, she scored 151 runs in three games in My11Circle Women’s T20 Challenge in Pune.
Sri Lanka will rely on the quality off-spin of Oshadi Ranasinghe for regular breakthroughs. She has taken 10 wickets in her last 5 T20Is.
Match Preview
Once again, the Indian team proved their superiority over the Sri Lankans in the opening game. In fact, Sri Lanka haven’t beaten India in the T20 format since March 2014. Furthermore, given the experience and firepower in the Indian camp, the hosts will have to punch well above their weight to level the series.
Time: 25 June, 2.00 PM IST