Sharma can shine against struggling Lankans

Second ODI
10am Thursday

Sri Lanka produced a stirring performance to beat India in the Champions Trophy in June but the hosts were walloped by their powerful neighbours in the first game of a five-ODI series on Sunday.

There was an angry response from a small section of Lankan fans in Dambulla after Shikhar Dhawan's century had propelled India to a comprehensive nine-wicket win.

Bookmakers rate the home side 7-2 outsiders for the second game in Pallekele and the Lankan batting unit looks underpowered compared with India's top three of Dhawan, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.

The only wicket India lost in the first ODI was Sharma, unfortunately run out for four after dropping his bat. The opener can make up for that mishap in the second ODI and the 4-1 about him top-scoring looks a big price.

Sharma scored a world-record 264 against Sri Lanka in 2014 and made 78 in India's defeat in the Champions Trophy at The Oval.

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