India vs Sri Lanka: 2nd T20I Odds & Predictions (5th January 2023)

After a tense win in the first T20I at the Wankhede in Mumbai, the action shifts to Pune for India with a series victory for the taking if they can win again. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, will still be hurting from the loss after they appeared to be in a winning position for most of the game.

Prediction: India to win the match at 1.31 odds. 

Here are the match details: 

• Match Date & Time: January 5, 2023 – 7 PM IST 
• Venue: Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune
• Series: Sri Lanka tour of India 2023

India vs Sri Lanka Odds

Hardik Pandya made a resounding start on the tour by taking the new ball as captain, becoming the first India men's T20I captain to take the new ball in this format. The all-rounder was brilliant as a leader, using the young Shivam Mavi with the new ball alongside him to peg Sri Lanka back early. 

India, with a young squad, triumphed by a mere two-run margin, but this is a stronger unit than that scoreline suggests. While Sri Lanka showed immense promise, India still remain favourites. Cricket betting tips and in our todays predictions back India to win, the odds of which stand at 1.31. That said, todays match predictions could still depend on individual performances.

Sri Lanka looked rusty despite coming close with the last game being their first since the end of the T20 World Cup. Their batting needs a boost upfront and we could see Avishka Fernando up the order in todays cricket match.

India opened with Ishan Kishan and Shubman Gill last game but could be looking to mix things up this series, which could mean opportunities for Ruturaj Gaikwad or Rahul Tripathi in the top three. 

Yuzvendra Chahal has had an ordinary run in T20Is in the last couple of years but with no other wrist spinner in the squad, could be persisted with. However, Axar Patel seems well at home and looked solid with the ball and bat in the first game. Back him at 3.55 to be the top bowler for India.

Sri Lanka, meanwhile, will bank on their premier spinner Wanindu Hasaranga on a wicket that is expected to take turn. The leg-spinner will be key to curbing the aggressive Indian batters in the middle overs. Our cricket betting tips say that you should back him at 2.64 to be Sri Lanka's top bowler. 

India

India may not make a change upfront for this game, and we could see the same top three. Chahal is also likely to continue in the XI. Arshdeep Singh could come in for Chahal if he is fit. The left-arm seamer will be a good addition to the bowling attack. Otherwise, India are unlikely to make any major changes to the XI that beat Sri Lanka in Mumbai on Tuesday.

Probable XI: Ishan Kishan, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav, Deepak Hooda, Hardik Pandya (c), Sanju Samson (wk), Axar Patel, Harshal Patel, Shivam Mavi, Umran Malik, Yuzvendra Chahal

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka have a strong bowling attack with Dilshan Madushanka and Kasun Rajitha helming the pace attack. Maheesh Theekshana and Hasaranga make for a real good spin combo. Dhananjaya de Silva could be another spin option if he plays, but it is likely that the Sri Lankan all-rounder goes out with Sadeera Samarawickrama, who had a good LPL season, coming in. Avishka Fernando is another option in the top-order and could replace de Silva too. Chamika Karunaratne and skipper Shanaka remain the pace-bowling all-round options in the squad. Cricket betting odds may not favour them despite them running India close last game.

Probable XI: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dasun Shanaka (c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Kasun Rajitha, Dilshan Madushanka

Pitch Report and Weather Conditions

Pune will help seam bowlers early on and Kasun Rajitha will know it best, having produced a stirring spell at this venue in 2016 to bowl India out for 101 and help Sri Lanka win by five wickets. As such, seam could be a factor in todays match predictions. There haven't been a lot of men's T20Is at this venue with only one game witnessing a 200-plus total – when India score 201 against Sri Lanka in 2020. India have won two of their three T20Is here. 

As for the weather, Pune has humidity in the range of 45% during the game but there's no chance of any rain at the venue, not affecting today's cricket betting tips. The temperature is expected to be in the range of 27°C – 31°C during the game. The betting cricket tips will be free of any rain threats given the conditions.

India vs Sri Lanka: Betting Tips