Indore's weather is clear and fans will be hoping to see some fireworks between India and Sri Lanka at the Holkar Stadium. (Photo Credit: IANS)
New Delhi:
Firstly, here is the weather report. The chances of rain in Indore on Tuesday are zero. Bright sunshine is expected. A flat pitch is on offer and the Holkar stadium is all set to be a sold-out affair. Indore has always admired their cricket and on Tuesday, they will be cheering for Virat Kohli and the Indian cricket team. All the build-up for Barsapara was centered that this is a World T20 year. In Indore, that quest resumes. Sri Lanka will be happy for the fact that India have rested Rohit Sharma. At this venue two years ago, Rohit equalled the fastest century in Twenty20 Internationals as his 35-ball decimation consigned Sri Lanka to a heavy 88-run defeat.
However, the Indian top three is still potent with the likes of KL Rahul, Virat Kohli and the return of Shikhar Dhawan. While there have been no question marks on Kohli and Rahul, Dhawan's return after an injury-filled 2019 will definitely be the focus. Dhawan, who had scored just 272 runs at a strike-rate of just 110, admitted that injuries did take a toll on him but he is eager to be back.
"This year looking I am forward to score lots of runs for the team and for myself and be a more impactful player, win matches for my team and win the World Cup. Injuries are quite natural, so I just take it in my stride. I don't make a fuss about it. I make sure that I always stay in a positive mindset and that helps things to heal very quickly," Dhawan said.
Team News
The playing XI for the Guwahati Twenty20 International suggested that the team is willing to extend a long rope to Washington Sundar, which would mean Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal do not fit into the same playing XI. Lasith Malinga, the Sri Lanka skipper, explained that the team needed five bowlers to put pressure on India. Virat Kohli too has stated that choosing between Dhawan and Rahul will be a tough call after Rohit, who is rested from the Sri Lanka series, returns to opening the innings.
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"When Rohit comes back, you know, it's going to be a difficult thing to address because Shikhar has been an experienced player but KL is playing so well. I think we'll have to decide what is the best combination that we can go with and who are the best XI to take the field," Kohli had said ahead of the first T20. It looks like both teams might go with the same combination that they had picked in Guwahati, despite Indore being a flat pitch.
Stats And Pitch
The Holkar stadium is literally a fortress for the Indian cricket team. They have not lost a single game across formats, winning five ODIs, two Tests and the one Twenty20 International played in 2017. Reversing India's fortunes at the fortress will be a tall task especially against a Sri Lanka team that is low on confidence following the 0-3 drubbing by Australia. The pitch is flat and plenty of runs are expected on offer. With winter firmly set in, the low night temperatures could result in plenty of dew and teams that win the toss will be aiming to bat and put the opposition under pressure.
