The second game of the tri-series will be played between India and Sri Lanka at the same ground, Dhaka. And given that the Sri Lankans have only just lost their previous ODI series to India, this will prove to be a golden opportunity for them to avenge that series loss.

India will know that they have had a stronghold over the Sri Lankans in the previous year and have been responsible for the ouster of the players like Ajantha Mendis, Lasith Malinga and the stalwart Sanath Jayasuriya. However, they will also realise that this could be an opportunity for the other youngsters who had posed a threat to their batsmen earlier.

It will be an opportunity for the fringe Indian players as well. Virat Kohli had announced himself in the previous ODIs with a century to his name, whereas Suresh Raina's form had gone down a notch. With Rohit Sharma coming back into the fold and Sachin Tendulkar taking a break, it will be a good battle between the three for places in the side. Yuvraj Singh's injury seems to have healed and he should make it to the starting eleven, whereas MS Dhoni will be back to lead the side after the two match ban and the ensuing Kotla fiasco.

The most important news for the Indians will be the fact that in the absence of Sachin Tendulkar, the opening slot will be taken up by Gautam Gambhir. This will mean that the Lankan bowlers will have to contend with one of the best current opening partnership and will look to make early inroads in essence.

The Indian bowling will rest in the hands of Ashish Nehra, Zaheer Khan and S. Sreesanth, who seems to have recovered enough from his swine flu scare. Harbhajan Singh can expect a little more help from the wicket as Dhaka has assisted spinners in the recent times, and it will be an interesting battle between the experience of Bhajji and the rawness of the Lankan spinners. With Bhajji having been critical of the lifeless pitches in India, this will provide a unique opportunity for him to get more wickets.

For Sri Lanka, Tillakaratne Dilshan promotion to the vice-captaincy means that he has much more responsibility on his shoulders than the rest. The top order remains the same, but in the absence of Mahela Jayawardene, who was injured, it will be a lot of responsibility on the shoulders of Thilina Kandamby and Thilan Samaraweera.

Advantage India, but they need to be careful not to be complacent!

Tag :- Gautam Gambhir   India   Sachin Tendulkar   Sanath Jayasuriya   Sri Lanka   Thilina Kandamby   Tillakaratne Dilshan   Zaheer Khan