India are set to play their first cricket of the new year as Sri Lanka make their way to Indore for the second T20I of the series.
The first T20 fixture of the three-game contest was a washout as poor weather saw Sunday’s clash in Guwahati called off without a ball being bowled.
Both sides quickly turn their attention to Indore as they begin preparations towards this year’s T20 World Cup in Australia.
India vs Sri Lanka 2nd T20I – Match Preview
Where: Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore, India
When: Tuesday, 7th January
Start Time: 19:00 (IST), 13:30 (GMT)
India vs Sri Lanka 2nd T20I – Latest Odds
India are again the short-priced favourites at 1.20 (1/5) with Bet365 to win this one.
Sri Lanka can be backed at 4.5 (7/2) with the same firm if you think they can cause an upset away from home.
The correct series score may also prove popular for those with an eye also on Friday’s third and final T20 in Pune.
India are available at 1.44 (4/9) with Bet365 to run out 2-0 series winners. West Indies securing a 2-0 series win is at 17.00 (16/1) and 1-1 is 3.25 (9/4).
India vs Sri Lanka 2nd T20I – Team News
India chose to rest both Rohit Sharma and Mohammed Shami for this series but have welcomed back Jasprit Bumrah from injury to significantly boost their seam attack.
Potential insight into team selections for the 2nd T20 could be taken from the side that was chosen for the rained-off match in Guwahati.
Captain Virat Kohli named spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Washington Sundar in the side while Yuzvendra Chahal, Ravindra Jadeja, Manish Pandey and Sanju Samson were all left on the sidelines.
Sri Lanka welcome Angelo Mathews back into the team for this series and will again be captained by Lasith Malinga as Sri Lanka also look to build some momentum towards Australia 2020.
India vs Sri Lanka 2nd T20I – Betting Tips and Prediction
India will be keen to continue 2020 as they finished 2019, especially with a world cup on the horizon.
There are plenty of interesting betting angles for this one due to the return of Jasprit Bumrah and with batsman such as Shreyas Iyer and Shivam Dubes keen to really make their mark.
Sri Lankan skipper Malinga knows all too well how to perform in India as highlighted by his place as the top wicket-taker in Indian Premier League history.
KL Rahul to be India top batsman
KL Rahul enjoyed a couple of decent knocks as India bagged a 2-1 series victory over the West Indies when last in T20 action.
He can build on that in Indore where he again looks set to open the batting for the hosts.
Rahul smashed a fine 91 in the third T20I against the Windies after a solid 62 in the first match. He also continued his form into the one-day series and there is no reason to think he can’t continue to excel.
He is priced at 4.33 (10/3) with Bet365 to be India’s top batsman in the second T20I.
Another big plus for those betting on Rahul is the fact he'll know the conditions well due to KXIP using Holkar as their secondary home ground in the IPL. The King's XI man should be able to use that in his favour as he goes on the attack in familiar surroundings.
Once again, Virat Kohli heads that market at 3.25 (9/4).
Bumrah back with a bang for India?
Jasprit Bumrah returns to the side after a four-month layoff with a back injury but could soon make up for lost time against Sri Lanka.
The pace ace looks a good bet to be his team’s top wicket-take in Indore where his variations are again set to cause problems for the visiting batsman.
He is priced up as the (15/8) favourite with Bet365 to be India’s top bowler.
Best Bet: KL Rahul to be India's top run-scorer at 4.33 (10/3) with Bet356
