Hambantota (Sri Lanka), Jul 23: After starting the new season with a comfortable victory, favourites India will be aiming to keep up the momentum when they take on hosts Sri Lanka in the second cricket ODI here tomorrow.
India cruised to a 21-run win against the islanders in the opening ODI—courtesy the in-form Virat Kohli who smashed 106 and senior batsman Virender Sehwag who made a significant contribution with an innings of 96.
The strip at the Mahinda Rajapaksa Stadium where the first ODI was played seemed to be a typical limited overs pitch where the batsmen have a field day once they get their eye in.
It is a wicket where ‘win the toss and bat first' is the mantra for all captains and Mahendra Singh Dhoni was no different on the other day.
Although the windy conditions initially help the swing bowlers but primarily it's the batsmen who dominate in these conditions.
For India, it will be an advantage of sorts as Sri Lanka's most consistent new-ball bowler in recent times, Nuwan Kulasekara is out of the series with a groin injury sustained while trying to attempt a catch during the first ODI.
All eyes will again be on man-of-the-moment Kohli who has now scored four centuries in his last five appearances and is in the form of his life.
It would certainly boost his confidence that he has started the new season with a flawless century. Ditto for Virender Sehwag, who had skipped the Asia Cup due to injury and was keen to get a headstart as it is supposed to be a long and hard season for Team India.
