Rohit & Co look to seal second T20I series win in two weeks when they face Sri Lanka today
India players celebrate a wicket against SL at Lucknow on Thursday. Pic/BCCI
A reinvigorated India will look to pocket their second series win in as many weeks and build on the gains made from a drastic change in their batting approach in the second T20I against Sri Lanka here on Saturday.
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Young opener Ishan Kishan got a massive dose of confidence in the series opener on Thursday after his struggles against the West Indies. Finding strike rotation tough in the preceding series, Kishan was able to overcome that weakness against the Sri Lankan bowlers besides flaunting the strokeplay he is known for in the IPL.
Transformed unit
India were forced to look in the mirror after their early exit from the T20 World Cup last year, but four months later, they look a transformed unit with a bunch of youngsters being tried out in various positions and roles.
It is still early days, but the Rohit Sharma-led side have already figured out the core group of players that will travel to Australia for the World Cup Down Under later this year. There is no time to settle in a T20 game and India have finally realised that, allowing them to post 180-plus totals regularly.
If it wasn’t for Ruturaj
Gaikwad’s wrist injury, he could have opened with Kishan and Rohit would have dropped himself down the order like he did against the West Indies. Such is Rohit’s class that he has not taken any time to find his rhythm after coming from an injury break. He looked in sublime touch en route to his 44, but must be disappointed to not have carried on for longer.
Bowlers come to the party
India are also getting better on the bowling front. They used as many as seven options, including Deepak Hooda, on Thursday and most of them did alright. Venkatesh Iyer was a tad expensive, but took a couple of wickets. It would take a special effort from Sri Lanka to end India’s 10-match winning streak in the spiritual home of Dalai Lama.
With a misfiring top-order and absence of frontline spinners Maheesh Theekshana and Wanindu Hasaranga, Sri Lanka struggled to compete in the first game. Even skipper Dasun Shanaka bowling after a while did not help as Indians looked unstoppable with the bat.
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