On the back of 45th ODI century off the bat of Virat Kohli, and half-centuries from skipper Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill, team India got the better of Sri Lanka by 67 runs during the first ODI, to begin their preparations for this year’s ODI World Cup on a wonderful note.
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The action for the second ODI of the three-match series will take place at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on January 12, which will host an ODI game after more than a five-year gap.
The bowlers were taken to the cleaners during the first ODI, but a better bowling effort, particularly with the new ball by the Indian bowlers turned out to be the difference between the two sides.
Sri Lankan skipper Dasun Shanaka yet again was all over the Indian bowlers like a rash, and belted some crunch blows right till the end of the innings to smash his highest-ever score in the format (108*), and reduce the margin of defeat significantly.
Expect his side to bounce back with a much better better performance during the second ODI come Thursday.
Kolkata Eden Gardens pitch report batting or bowling
Akin the pitch in Guwahati, expect the Eden Gardens track to turn out to be a batting paradise as well. Moreover, the smaller boundary dimensions coupled with a lightning quick outfield will further assist the batters and provide a full value to their shots.
Across the 29 completed ODIs which have taken place at this venue, the average score stands at 255.5 runs.
As for the bowlers, the pacers are likely to get some assistance from the track with the new ball in terms of seam movement, but with the pitch likely to get better as the match progresses and under lights, expect the batters to have a field day overall.
With the dew likely to make a massive impact at the Eden Gardens, expect the captain winning the Toss to yet again choose to bowl first.
