Axar Patel and Niroshan Dickwella the key men to look out for in second Sri Lanka vs India ODI

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  • India's Axar Patel will be one worth keeping an eye on.

    A supremely confident India will take on a faltering Sri Lanka team in turmoil in the second ODI of the five-match series at Pallekele on Thursday.

    The Virat Kohli-led team were in ruthless form against the hosts in the first game at Dambulla where they won the match by nine wickets with more than 20 overs to spare.

    Upul Tharanga’s men had to face the wrath of an unhappy section of Sri Lankan supporters following the heavy defeat when their team bus was held up for over half an hour by the protesters.

    As the pressure continues to increase for the Islanders, we look at one key player from either side who could have a decisive impact on the game.

    SRI LANKA

    Niroshan Dickwella

    One of the younger guns in the Sri Lankan squad, the 24-year-old has displayed a fine temperament since his introduction to international cricket back in 2014.

    With 20 ODI matches under his belt so far, the wicketkeeper-batsman is now approaching the 1,000 run mark at a healthy average of 43.74. He, along with fellow youngster Kusal Mendis, are the torch-bearers of the next generation of Sri Lankan cricket and he promptly showed why during the team’s loss in the one-day opener.

    Dickwella looked solid in Dambulla during his 63 runs innings.

    Dickwella looked solid in Dambulla during his knock of 63.

    The Kandy-born man was looking solid on 63 before falling to the part-time spin of Kedar Jadhav.

    Dickwella was in fine form during the 3-2 series loss to Zimbabwe prior to India’s visit where he scored his maiden ODI century in Hambantota before following it up with another at the same venue.

    INDIA

    Axar Patel

    The left-arm spinning all-rounder is built in the mold of Ravindra Jadeja and his accurate line and lengths have afforded little room for batsmen ever since he made his India bow three years ago.

    Patel removed the dangerous Kusal Mendis in Dambulla.

    Patel removed the dangerous Mendis in Dambulla.

    Still only 23, Patel has already played 31 ODIs for India where his miserly economy rate of 4.34 stands out. Drying up the run-flow is not his only strength though as he remains a crucial wicket-taking option for Kohli, with his three-fer at Dambulla being proof of that.

    He will however be looking to improve his batting statistics given highest score up until now is just 38. The Gujarat-born man has a first-class century to his name already and will be looking to make his mark with the bat too, sooner rather than later.

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