Arjit - Friday, Jul 04, 2025Sri Lanka won the first ODI by 77 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the series. Now their goal will be to win this match and capture the series, while Bangladesh will put all their strength to equalize and make the series exciting.
Match: Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh, 2nd ODI
Series: Bangladesh tour of Sri Lanka 2025 (3 ODI series)
Date: Saturday, July 5, 2025
Time (IST): 2:30 PM (14:30 IST) / Local Time (SL): 2:30 PM
Stadium: R. R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, Sri Lanka
Broadcaster (India) TV: Sony Sports Network (Sony Sports Ten 1, Sony Sports Ten 2, Sony Sports Ten 5)
Live Streaming: SonyLiv app and website, FanCode app and website
Live scores: Will be available on Cricbuzz, ESPNcricinfo and other major cricket websites.
Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka put up a brilliant all-round performance in the first ODI. Captain Charit Aslanka scored a brilliant century in difficult conditions, helping the team score a respectable 244 runs. Vanindu Hasaranga did wonders with the ball, taking 4 wickets and destroying Bangladesh's batting, due to which they were all out for 167 runs. Batsmen like Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis also made useful contributions. Sri Lanka is taking full advantage of its home conditions and they would like to keep this winning streak intact and win the series. Their bowling unit, especially the spinners, are proving to be very effective on the pitch of R. Premadasa Stadium.
Bangladesh: The first ODI was disappointing for Bangladesh. Their batsmen failed to convert a good start into a big score and kept losing wickets continuously. Only Tanzid Hasan managed to score a half-century. In bowling, Taskin Ahmed performed brilliantly by taking 4 wickets, but he did not get enough support from the other bowlers. Bangladesh needs to improve in both their batting and bowling departments. The young team will have to make a strong strategy to face the Sri Lankan spinners and prevent the fall of wickets in the middle overs. The team under the captaincy of Mehdi Hasan Miraz will have to bounce back to keep the series alive.
Total matches played: 58 (after the first match)
Sri Lanka won: 44
Bangladesh won: 12
No result: 2
At R Premadasa Stadium: Sri Lanka 12, Bangladesh 0 (still no win)
Bangladesh still have a very poor record at the R Premadasa Stadium and they will be looking for their first win here.
In the first match, it was observed that the pitch at the R. Premadasa Stadium assisted the spinners a lot. It was a slow pitch where scoring runs was challenging, especially in the second innings. The average first innings score is around 233-240 runs, and a score of 244 also proved to be defendable. The team winning the toss will prefer to bat first, as the pitch is likely to be slow and spinners will be more effective. There is still some chance of rain, which could bring the Duckworth-Lewis rule into play again.
This match offers some great options for fantasy cricket, especially from the spinners and middle-order batsmen.
Wanindu Hasaranga (SL): In great form, taking 4 wickets in the first match. Can contribute with both ball and bat.
Charith Asalanka (SL): Captain and scored a century in the first match. Main batsman of the team in the middle order.
Mehdi Hasan Miraz (BAN): Captain and key all-rounder of Bangladesh. Can give points with both bowling and batting.
Pathum Nissanka (SL): Has been performing consistently well and gives a solid start to the team.
From Sri Lanka: Kusal Mendis (excellent record in RPS), Maheesh Theekshana (wicket taker in powerplay and middle overs), Dilshan Madushanka (can take wickets in fast bowling).
From Bangladesh: Liton Das (coming back, expected to play a big innings), Nazmul Hossain Shanto (can provide stability in the middle order), Taskin Ahmed (took 4 wickets in the first match, key fast bowler).
Bowlers selection: Looking at the pitch, spinners are a must. Keep spinners like Hasaranga, Theekshana, Dunith Welalage (SL), and Mehdi Hasan Miraz, Rishad Hussain (BAN) in your team.
Wicketkeepers: Kusal Mendis (SL), Liton Das (BAN)
Batsmen: Pathum Nissanka (SL), Charith Asalanka (SL) (Vice-Captain), Tanjid Hasan (BAN), Najmul Hossain Shanto (BAN)
All-rounders: Wanindu Hasaranga (SL) (Captain), Mehidy Hasan Miraz (BAN)
Bowlers: Maheesh Theekshana (SL), Dilshan Madushanka (SL), Taskin Ahmed (BAN)
Sri Lanka's impressive win in the first ODI and their strong record at the R. Premadasa Stadium make them favourites again in this match. Bangladesh will have to improve their batting and performance against spin a lot. Sri Lanka's spin trio could prove to be decisive once again.
Our Prediction: Sri Lanka will win this second ODI and clinch the series 2-0.
