Yuvraj still doubtful, India eye 2-0 lead against Lanka

After the high-scoring humdinger in Rajkot, India will seek to overcome their bowling and fielding shortcomings in the second cricket one-dayer against Sri Lanka with Yuvraj Singh being a doubtful starter.

After the high-scoring humdinger in Rajkot, India will seek to overcome their bowling and fielding shortcomings when they go into the second cricket one-dayer against Sri Lanka here on Friday with Yuvraj Singh being a doubtful starter.

HT Image

Yuvraj sat out of the first game because of a finger injury and it remains to be seen whether the dashing left hander was fit enough to take the field in what promises to be another run feast.

Both the teams are struggling with injuries with India having worries on the fitness of Yuvraj and the dangerous Virender Sehwag who had hurt his knee in the last game but was expected to play.

Lanka will be without key spinner Muttiah Muralitharan and paceman Dilhara Fernando due to finger injuries as the duo has been ruled out of the series. The Lankan team management have called up new players – medium pacer Muthumudalige Pushpakumara and young off spinner Suraj Randiv – to bolster their bowling ahead.

The visitors are though confident that sling-arm bowler Lasith Malinga would be available to play after his indisposition that kept him out of the Rajkot match.

The two teams were totally drained after playing out a heart-stopping and energy sapping opening match at Rajkot where the hosts just about managed to pull off a thrilling victory to take a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.