Sri Lanka and West Indies will meet in Dambulla once again to see who gets over the line this time. Although Sri Lanka and the West Indies both are at par when it comes to talent and player strength, the success in the shortest format of the game is often enjoyed more by the visitors than the host. The first game also showed the West Indian players proving their mettle by giving Sri Lankan players a run for their money.
However, the hosts can look to bounce back on the shoulders of their spinners as well as slinging pacers. It usually takes time to transition from longer formats to T20Is and this is what got hold of Sri Lanka in the first T20I match of the series, though the team did take the game to the final over despite getting hit for plenty during the early stages.
Team Overview:
Sri Lanka did well to avoid a low-scoring game as Charith Asalanka and Kamindu Mendis stepped up to score much-needed fifties. The West Indies bowlers shattered the Sri Lankan top order, all of whom departed cutting a sorry figure. The bowlers did try to stop the West Indian onslaught but even their brilliant death bowling could not stop West Indies from running away with the victory.
Having set a target of 180, Sri Lanka were utterly mistaken if they thought it was enough to keep West Indies at bay. The Windies openers thrashed the Sri Lankan bowlers left, right, and center and scored almost 80 runs during the powerplay only. Sri Lanka were only able to get up from this beating when the visitors were hovering at arm’s length from the victory. Luckily for Sri Lanka, it was the chances instead of any technical superiority West Indies took that had them get over the line.
Head-to-Head Matches:
Sri Lanka and West Indies have played 16 T20I matches against each other. From these sixteen games, Sri Lanka have won eight, and the West Indies have won as many.
Weather and Pitch Report:
Rain can interrupt the game. Even if it does not, the substantial amount of rain that has fallen hours before the game might get the groundsmen to hustle to prepare the ground before the match starts. Dambulla has a flat wicket and fast outfield and this game, like the first one, is very likely to be a high-scoring match. Pacers can hope to get assistance from the surface as it offers plenty of bounce and using the weather, the seamers can find even more success.
Prediction:
From what it seems, West Indies are likely to win this game more than Sri Lanka. Their batting unit is not only teeming with incredible batters, but these batters have the ability to play just the kind of cricket that brings you success in this format.
Where to Watch:
Sri Lanka: Supreme TV, Ten Cricket, Sri Lanka Cricket’s YouTube
West Indies: Rush Sports
Bangladesh: T Sports
MENA and rest of Asia: Cricbuzz
Sub-Saharan Africa: SuperSport
Pakistan: Ten Sports
India: FanCode App, Sony LIV
