Sanju Samson replaces Shubman Gill as India aim to seal series

India began their Gautam Gambhir era in the perfect manner, with a 43-run opener in the first T20I in Pallekele. Suryakumar Yadav was the star of the show, with a 26-ball 58, smashing eight fours and two eye-catching sixes.

Within 24 hours, they are back at it yet again, with the Men in Blue eyeing an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series. With rain forecasted around the corner, both teams will hope to win the toss and opt to field first, knowing exactly what they will have to chase later on.

“Tails” was the call, and Suryakumar Yadav opted to immediately field first.

Win record at the venue

Batting 1st: 14

Batting 2nd: 9

Here’s what the two captains said at the toss

Suryakumar Yadav: We will look to bowl first. There is a bit of weather around and the wicket played better in the second innings. There are always areas to improve even when you win a game, you keep learning and you keep improving. Gill misses out as he woke up with a back spasm, Samson comes in.

Charith Asalanka: We are good to bat first. We have one change: Ramesh Mendis comes in for Dilshan Madhushanka. The first three batters really well and the only concern is the line of the bowlers. It is a used pitch and hopefully, spin will come into play in the later part.

Any changes? What’s the playing XI?

There’s a big change for India: Shubman Gill isn’t playing this contest, with a neck spasm, as Sanju Samson makes his way into the setup. Perhaps it will be a Halla Bol duo at the top.

India’s XI: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson, Suryakumar Yadav(c), Rishabh Pant(w), Hardik Pandya, Riyan Parag, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohammed Siraj

The same for Sri Lanka, with Ramesh Mendis replacing Dilshan Madushanka, who wasn’t in the best of form in the previous T20I. Mendis also lengthens the batting unit.

Sri Lanka’s XI: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kusal Perera, Kamindu Mendis, Charith Asalanka (c), Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Ramesh Mendis, Matheesha Pathirana, Asitha Fernando

Pitch report

While there is no pitch report yet, it looks like there’s going to be a lot of turn on offer here in Pallekele, given that there was not just rain around the corner but also because this is the second contest on the same pitch in 24 hours.

Looking at Sri Lanka’s change, bringing in Ramesh Mendis after three years is a clear indication that they believe that there could be more spin on offer than the first T20I. On the other hand, India would bowl a lot more of Riyan Parag tonight, given that the surface might offer more for the tweakers.