Under pressure India out to stop big Mohali shock
LONDON: Sri Lanka have the chance today to surprise both India and the cricket world and claim series victory in the second ODI in Mohali.
The tourists ended a 12-match losing streak in one-day cricket with an impressive thrashing of India in Dharamsala on Sunday, winning by seven wickets.
The loss came as a huge shock to the hosts who have been dominant against Sri Lanka in both Tests and ODIs.
With an 11:30a.m. start it is expected that the ball will once again move a lot off the pitch. On Sunday the hosts were undone by both the seam movement and Suranga Lakmal’s brilliant four for 13 as they were bowled out for just 112. Rohit Sharma, leading the side in Virat Kohli’s absence, was not amused in his first ODI as captain. Though he did promise that the team will learn from the Dharamsala debacle and bounce back in the remaining two games.
“It is important to thrive in these conditions and come out good. It is an eye-opener for all of us,” Rohit had said after the seven-wicket loss.
Meanwhile Kohli wed Bollywood actress and former model Anushka Sharma at a private ceremony in Tuscany, Italy, with the Indian media going mad for the marriage.
“Officially India’s First Couple,” screamed the front page of Mumbai tabloid Mid-Day — a day after the pair tied the knot.
“Clean bowled!” read the Mumbai Mirror’s headline, one of several newspapers to report the much-anticipated news using a cricket theme. Another publication wished them the best in their “new innings.”