The series now moves on to the second game after the first of the three-match series ended in a tie with Sri Lanka and India finishing even with scores of 230, only their second-ever tied ODI match. August 4, 2024 is the planned date of this match at the same location, the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
Many cricket enthusiasts are making predictions about the weather for the upcoming second ODI in light of the recent concerns about the weather in Sri Lanka, which were highlighted by the postponed second T20I and
the cancellation of one of India’s practise sessions due to heavy rainfall ahead of the start of the 50-over series.
The weather for the area surrounding Colombo’s R. Premadasa Stadium, according to AccuWeather, calls for cloudy skies and a chance of rain, possibly with a few showers. There is almost a 70% chance of precipitation, and since full cloud cover is predicted, bowlers could see some early swing, like they did in the first ODI. Although there is still a chance of rain affecting the game, there is yet hope for a rain-free encounter.
Pitch Report
The pitch at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo offers a dry surface conducive to batting initially, but it tends to slow down as the game progresses, favouring spinners. Historically, spinners have taken 101 wickets since the start of 2022, matching the pace bowlers’ tally, though pacers have a slightly better average (27.04) compared to spinners (28.82).
However, the converse is valid when compared the economy rate of both classes of bowlers. With a possibility of scattered showers, batters should be cautious, and spinners are expected to have a significant impact, similar to the first ODI where they claimed 13 of the 18 wickets. Bowling first after the winning the toss may prove to be a match-winning decision.
India
