Sri Lanka vs West Indies, West Indies in Sri Lanka 3 T20I Series 2024, 2nd T20I - Full Scorecard

... THE RUN CHASE ...

West Indies batted well in the first match but this is a different pitch all together. They just don't need power but precision on a pitch which will turn and help the bowlers a lot. Sri Lanka on the other hand if bowl in the right areas and get their spinners into the game quickly, could certainly defend this total. What do you think will happen? Stay tuned for the chase.

Sri Lanka have to bowl well as they look a few runs short as compared to where they were mid way through the innings. West Indies weren't on the mark occasionally but Sri Lanka failed to capitialize by hitting it out of the park. The last three overs or so went completely against the hosts plans as they lost wickets regularly. However, they got the start they wanted. Nissanka-Mendis added 77 at the top with the former scoring a fifty. What was concerning for the Lankans was their strike rate. A lot of them got the start but struggled to change gears. Sri Lanka look 10-15 runs short as they failed to get the cameo from the finishers.

A quick thought on this pitch first of all. It is aiding the spinners dearly and if it remains the same in the next innings, Sri Lanka could have the upper hand as they have three quality spinners in Wanindu Hasaranga, Matheesha Pathirana and Dunith Wellalage in their team. It would be testing time for West Indies who need to be calculative while chasing the par total.

Romario Shepherd to Wanindu Hasaranga, FOUR! Fails to do so! Still it was a good last over! Short and outside off. This is slapped over cover. Crucial boundary. It takes their score over 160!

Romario Shepherd to Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Just the single again! Shorter and on middle. This is pulled through square leg for one. This has been a brilliant last over. Needs to end it well.

Romario Shepherd to Wanindu Hasaranga, DROPPED! That was a sitter. We feel this was planned! Hasaranga loves the upper cut and West Indies had the third man very fine. This is banged in short and on middle. Hasaranga plays it and it goes straight to Motie there but he spills it. A run taken.

Romario Shepherd to Kamindu Mendis, OUT! Taken! That's a simple catch! A short one on the body. Mendis pulls. Does not connect that well. Sherfane Rutherford runs to his left and takes it brilliantly.

Romario Shepherd to Kamindu Mendis, Two! A slower one outside off. This is lofted over cover. Two taken.

Romario Shepherd to Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Just the one again! Short and on middle. Rajapaksha looks to pull but misses. It hits the pad and rolls on the off side. A leg bye taken.

Alzarri Joseph to Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Just the single! Apart from that biggie, it was a good over! Short and on the body. Rajapaksha looks to pull but misses. It hits the pad and rolls on the off side. A leg bye taken.

Alzarri Joseph to Kamindu Mendis, A LOUD SHOUT BUT NOT GIVEN! A review taken but the impact is outside leg. Windies lose both their reviews. Full and on the pads. Mendis looks to flick but misses. It hits the pad and rolls on the off side. A leg bye taken.

Alzarri Joseph to Kamindu Mendis, SIX! Bang! Over the fence. That's a strong hit. Length and on middle. Mendis stands tall and slams it over the long on fence. That was needed. Things were slowing down.

Alzarri Joseph to Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Can't do a lot with that! On middle. A yorker, this is jammed out to cover for one.

Alzarri Joseph to Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dots are gold! A yorker around leg. Rajapaksha fails to put bat on ball as he tries to jam it out.

Alzarri Joseph to Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Well fielded! A low full toss on the pads. This is worked behind square on the leg side for two.

Romario Shepherd to Bhanuka Rajapaksa, A quick run to end! Outside off. This is guided down to third man for one.

Romario Shepherd to Charith Asalanka, OUT! Timber! That's brilliantly bowled! Asalanka was totally done in by the lack of pace. A slower one on middle. He looks to heave it on the leg side but is through the shot very early. He misses and it hits the stumps.

Romario Shepherd to Charith Asalanka, FOUR! Gets hold of this one! The line was the problem here. It was down the leg side. Asalanka pulls it past square leg and this races away to the fence.

Romario Shepherd to Kamindu Mendis, Just the one again! Slower and shorter on middle. This is pulled but it goes off the splice. Lands well short of deep mid-wicket.

Romario Shepherd to Charith Asalanka, Goes short again and on middle. This is pulled through square leg. A run taken. Singles is something West Indies won't mind.

Romario Shepherd to Kamindu Mendis, Angled into middle. Mendis pulls it through square leg for one.

Roston Chase to Charith Asalanka, Flatter and on middle. Asalanka defends it back to the bowler.

Roston Chase to Charith Asalanka, FOUR! Lovely shot. Excellent placement! Tossed up outside off. Asalanka lofts it over cover. Motie from long off, runs to his right and slides but as he tries to push the ball back in, touches the ropes. That's a welcome boundary.

Roston Chase to Charith Asalanka, Unplayable! This is flatter and on off. It lands and spins away. Asalanka is beaten as he looks to defend.

Roston Chase to Kamindu Mendis, Close! Makes room. This is flatter and on off. He tries to go over cover but it goes off the inside edge towards short fine leg for one.

Roston Chase to Kamindu Mendis, Fortunate runs! On middle. Mendis looks to sweep. It goes off the arm towards third man. Two taken.

Roston Chase to Kamindu Mendis, Flatter and outside off. Mendis looks to go over cover but chops it back to the bowler.

Alzarri Joseph to Charith Asalanka, That's a nasty delivery first up! On middle. This is banged in short. Asalanka evades it at the very end.

Alzarri Joseph to Pathum Nissanka, OUT! Timber! Joseph gets rid of the set batter. Just what West Indies would have wanted. Excellent delivery! Bowls a yorker on middle. Pathum Nissanka makes room again but this time fails to get his bat down in time. It hits the middle pole.

Alzarri Joseph to Pathum Nissanka, FOUR! That's hammered! That though was a poor ball. A hit-me delivery. This is very full and on middle. Nissanka makes room and hits it over cover. This one races away to the fence.

Alzarri Joseph to Kamindu Mendis, Just the one this time! Slower one outside off. Mendis looks to go over cover but this goes off the outer half towards deep cover. A run taken.

Alzarri Joseph to Kamindu Mendis, Two is the call and two it is! Mendis steps out. This on a length. It is hit down to long on. Two taken.

Alzarri Joseph to Pathum Nissanka, Fifty for Pathum Nissanka! Really good knock on a difficult pitch. Gets there with a quick run. Shorter and outside off. This is cut towards point. The fielder fumbles and they take a run.

Alzarri Joseph to Pathum Nissanka, WIDE! Down the leg side. Nissanka looks to flick it over the square leg fielder but misses.

Roston Chase to Pathum Nissanka, Good over by Chase! Much better than his last one! On middle, fuller and it is clipped to long on for a single.

Roston Chase to Pathum Nissanka, Changing his line and length. Flatter and outside off, spins in. Nissanka looks to flick but misses it.

Roston Chase to Pathum Nissanka, Fires in a full ball on off, climbs to the batter who looks to flick but misses.

Roston Chase to Pathum Nissanka, Slower in the air, short and on leg, Nissanka looks to pull but cue ends his shot on the leg side.

Roston Chase to Kamindu Mendis, Slows it up and bowls it on off, spins away. Mendis edges his drive to third man for a single.

Roston Chase to Pathum Nissanka, Too full and around off, Nissanka sweeps it to deep square leg for a single.

Shamar Joseph to Kamindu Mendis, MISFIELD AND FOUR! Pitched up, outside off, Mendis drives it to cover where the fielder dives to his left but it rolls through his hands and races to the fence.

Shamar Joseph to Kamindu Mendis, A length ball on middle, Mendis turns it to mid-wicket.

Kamindu Mendis is the new man in.

Shamar Joseph to Kusal Perera, OUT! LBW! That looks plumb! A length ball, around off, bit of reverse swing. Perera looks to heave it away but misses and gets hit dead in front of the pads. A huge appeal for LBW and up goes the finger. Not sure why Perera took the review as that was dead to the naked eye. Three reds the Ball Tracking shows.

Shamar Joseph to Kusal Perera, OVER MID OFF! Shamar Joseph needs to stick to this length. Back of a length and outside off, Perera slashes his blade and top edges it over mid off. Shamar Springer runs back but it falls well over him. Two.

Shamar Joseph to Pathum Nissanka, Very full and on middle, Nissanka plays it to long on for a single.

Shamar Joseph to Pathum Nissanka, FOUR! Streaky but gets a boundary nonetheless! A slower length ball, wide of off. Nissanka cue ends his shot to third man for a four.

Change. Shamar Joseph is back on.

Roston Chase to Kusal Perera, Better from Chase! Slows it up and lands it on middle, Perera stays behind the line and blocks.

Roston Chase to Kusal Perera, FOUR! Perera finally nails the reverse sweep. Flat and on middle, spins away, this is hit past backward point for a boundary.

Roston Chase to Kusal Perera, FOUR! A lot quicker from Chase than he should be. On middle, Perera sweeps it to deep square leg for a boundary.

Roston Chase to Kusal Perera, Tossed up full and on middle, spins away. Perera steps across to sweep but misses and gets hit on the pads. Extra bounce.

Roston Chase to Kusal Perera, Perera again brings out the reverse sweep and hits it to deep backward point for a quick couple of runs.

Roston Chase to Kusal Perera, FOUR! Off the bat! Slants it full and outside off, Perera looks to reverse hit but seems to get some bat on it. Well past the keeper and to the fence.

Shamar Springer to Pathum Nissanka, FOUR! The boundary ruins the over for Springer. 11 runs off it. A bumper, outside off, lands in the arc for Nissanka who flat-bats it over extra cover for a boundary.

Shamar Springer to Pathum Nissanka, Shamar Springer goes very full and over the leg pole. Nissanka shuffles across to sweep but misses.

Shamar Springer to Kusal Perera, Length ball, outside off, Perera punches it to covers for a single.

Shamar Springer to Kusal Perera, Much better length on this pitch. The extra bounce helps him as well, hard length outside off, Perera comes forward to cut but is cramped up for room.

Shamar Springer to Kusal Perera, SIX! Flexing his muscles! Pitches it up, outside off, in te arc for Perera who muscles it over long off for a biggie.

Shamar Springer to Kusal Perera, Good 10 balls or so from the Windies! A good length ball, outside off, skids on. Perera steps across to flick but misses.

Roston Chase to Pathum Nissanka, Just two runs off the over! Quicker, fuller and outside off, Nissanka looks to reverse sweep but misses it completely.

Roston Chase to Kusal Perera, Tries to bring in the stumps into play. On middle, Perera sweeps it to square leg for a single.

Roston Chase to Kusal Perera, Missed again! Floated full and outside off, Perera tries to reverse sweep once again but misses it.

Roston Chase to Kusal Perera, Pushes it full and wide of off, Perera is drawn forward to drive but misses it.

Roston Chase to Kusal Perera, Too full and outside off, Perera reverse sweeps and hits it to point. Romario Shepherd dives to his left and stops it.

Roston Chase to Pathum Nissanka, Full and outside off, turns in. Nissanka guides it to short third man for a single.

Kusal Perera walks to the middle.

Shamar Springer to Kusal Mendis, OUT! TAKEN! The opening stand has been broken! A slower one on middle. Mendis looks to go down the ground. It comes slow off the surface. It goes off the toe end. It is taken at long on. Much needed wicket. End of an action packed over.

Shamar Springer to Pathum Nissanka, Dropped! That should have been taken! Shorter and outside off. Nissanka cuts it to point. The fielder leaps but it bursts through. A single taken.

Shamar Springer to Kusal Mendis, On the bounce! Shorter and on middle. This is pulled towards deep mid-wicket. For one.

Shamar Springer to Kusal Mendis, Back of a length and around off. This is guided to point.

Shamar Springer to Kusal Mendis, WIDE! Another extra. Down the leg side. Wider. This is not good from Springer.

Shamar Springer to Kusal Mendis, Looks to innovate. Brings out the paddle scoop but moving across but misses.

Shamar Springer to Kusal Mendis, FIVE WIDES! Bonus runs! This is short and well down the leg side. Mendis looks to pull but misses. Fletcher too puts in a lazy effort. He doesn't stop it and it races away.

Shamar Springer to Kusal Mendis, WIDE! Bangs it in short. A slower short ball. Mendis looks to pull but misses. Five from the first ball. This could be a big over.

Shamar Springer to Kusal Mendis, MISFIELD AND FOUR! That's not good from Alzarri Joseph! He should have put in a better effort! Full toss on the pads. This is hit towards deep square leg. Joseph puts in a half hearted effort and fails to stop it.

Gudakesh Motie to Pathum Nissanka, End of a fine over and a very good spell by Gudakesh Motie! On middle. This is pushed back to the bowler.

Gudakesh Motie to Pathum Nissanka, Excellent stuff! This is fired in around off. Pathum guides it to point.

Gudakesh Motie to Pathum Nissanka, Slower and outside off. This one holds in the surface. Nissanka chops it to cover.

Gudakesh Motie to Pathum Nissanka, Flatter and on off. Nissanka pushes it to covers.

Gudakesh Motie to Kusal Mendis, Very full and on middle. The paddle sweep comes out. It goes to short fine leg for one.

Gudakesh Motie to Kusal Mendis, Two! Lands safe! On middle. The sweep comes out. It goes off the top edge but wide of deep square leg. Two taken.

Romario Shepherd to Pathum Nissanka, FOUR! Fails to do so! A poor ball. A hit-me delivery! Short and outside off. This is flayed past point. This races away to the fence.

Romario Shepherd to Pathum Nissanka, Going down leg! Angled into the pads. Nissanka fails to flick. It hits the pad. Another tidy over. Still a ball to go though. Can he end it well?

Romario Shepherd to Pathum Nissanka, That was there to be put away! Shorter and outside off. Nissanka slashes but misses. Extra bounce.

Romario Shepherd to Kusal Mendis, On the shorter side again. This is pulled past mid-wicket. Just the one taken.

Romario Shepherd to Pathum Nissanka, Just the one again! Shortish and on the body. Nissanka pulls it through square leg and takes one.

Romario Shepherd to Kusal Mendis, Bangs this short and on middle. This is pulled through square leg for one.

Gudakesh Motie to Pathum Nissanka, An absolute beauty to end! Slows it up again and lands it on middle. This lands and spins away a long way. Nissanka is beaten again as he tries to block. Testing over that from Motie.

Gudakesh Motie to Kusal Mendis, Just the one! On middle. This is nudged around the corner for one. Can he end the over well now?

Gudakesh Motie to Kusal Mendis, Massive turn again! This lands around off and spins away a long way. Mendis is beaten as he looks to defend.

Gudakesh Motie to Kusal Mendis, A loud shout by the bowler for LBW but not given! He's the only one appealing but he convinces his skipper for the review. NOT OUT! It does flick the pad but it's spinning way too much! This lands on middle and then spins away. Mendis looks to defend but is beaten and it flips the flap of the back pad. Missing off.

Gudakesh Motie to Kusal Mendis, That is a beauty! This is slower and around off. Mendis is drawn into the drive. This lands and spins away. He's beaten.

Gudakesh Motie to Pathum Nissanka, Tossed up on off. Nissanka looks to defend, this goes off the outer half to point for one.

Alzarri Joseph to Kusal Mendis, SIX! He fails to do so! The line was the problem here. Too leg sidish. Mendis just rocks back and helps it on its way. It sails over the square leg fence. Top shot. Lanka end with a fine Powerplay.

Alzarri Joseph to Pathum Nissanka, Very full and on middle. A slower one. This is pushed to mid on. One taken. Can he end the over well now?

Alzarri Joseph to Kusal Mendis, Straight to square leg who just went back! On the pads. This is whipped through square leg. Only one.

Alzarri Joseph to Kusal Mendis, Goes full and on the pads. Mendis flicks but to square leg.

Alzarri Joseph to Kusal Mendis, FOUR! Finds the gap! Top shot. Short and on middle. Mendis seemed to be cramped for room but still manages to pull it wide of mid on and it races away to the fence.

Alzarri Joseph to Kusal Mendis, Goes very full and on middle. Mendis jams it out to mid on.

Gudakesh Motie to Pathum Nissanka, A dot to end! 7 runs off it. Flatter and outside off, Nissanka cuts it to point.

Gudakesh Motie to Pathum Nissanka, SIX! Poor length and it is hit away! Drops it short and on middle, Nissanka goes back and pulls it over deep mid-wicket for a biggie.

Gudakesh Motie to Pathum Nissanka, Was that a chance? A low full toss on middle, Nissanka plays it back to Motie who picks up on a bounce in front of his stumps.

Gudakesh Motie to Pathum Nissanka, Flat and outside off, Nissanka punches it to cover.

Gudakesh Motie to Pathum Nissanka, Pushes it full and quicker on the leg side. Nissanka shapes for the reverse paddle but misses it.

Gudakesh Motie to Kusal Mendis, Very full and on leg, Mendis sweeps it to deep square leg for a single.

Shamar Joseph to Pathum Nissanka, FOUR! Massive over for the Lankans! Shamar Joseph bowls the slower one outside off but gives a lot of width. Nissanka has ample time to smash this away past short third man for a boundary. 25 runs off the over.

Shamar Joseph to Pathum Nissanka, FOUR! One more in the over! Turning out to be a productive over for Sri Lanka who have kicked off now! Serves it on the leg side, Nissanka just helps it through square leg and it races to the fence.

Shamar Joseph to Pathum Nissanka, FOUR! Pathum Nissanka making space for himself! Around off, fuller and Nissanka makes room and thumps it through mid off for yet another boundary. Raining boundaries.

Shamar Joseph to Pathum Nissanka, FOUR! OFF THE TOP EDGE! Bangs it short and well directed on middle, Nissanka is hurried as he looks to pull but gets a top edge and it flies to fine leg for a boundary.

Shamar Joseph to Pathum Nissanka, Wide! Pathum Nissanka shapes for the paddle scoop but fails as Shamar Joseph bowls it short and on leg.

Shamar Joseph to Pathum Nissanka, FOUR! Proper cricketing shot! He is better when he stands his ground! Short in length and outside off, Nissanka gets on his toes and slashes it over covers for a boundary.

Shamar Joseph to Pathum Nissanka, FOUR LEG BYES! First boundary but in the form of leg byes. Length ball, following the batter on the leg side, Nissanka misses his heave and gets hit on the pads. It rolls past first slip who dives but fails to stop.

Gudakesh Motie to Kusal Mendis, Similar length from Motie, serves it on leg and Mendis looks to pull but misses and it lobs wide of the keeper. Actually, it went off the gloves. Hard one for the keeper to collect.

Gudakesh Motie to Kusal Mendis, Slightly short on the quicker and on the leg pole. Mendis keeps it out.

Gudakesh Motie to Kusal Mendis, This is full and around off, lands and spins away sharply. Mendis presses forward to defend but is well beaten.

Gudakesh Motie to Pathum Nissanka, Leg bye! This one comes with the arm, Tossed up, length and around leg, Nissanka stays back to whip it but misses and gets hit on the pads. Height was the issue.

Gudakesh Motie to Pathum Nissanka, Angles in a length ball, outside off, it hits the deck and spins away. Nissanka goes back and sees it go into the keeper's mitts.

Gudakesh Motie to Kusal Mendis, Flatter delivery on middle, Mendis nudges it to deep square leg for a single.

Change! Gudakesh Motie is into the attack.

Shamar Joseph to Pathum Nissanka, Tries to bring the umpire  into the game as Shamar Joseph appeals but that was going down. Too straight, length ball on middle and leg. Nissanka misses his flick. It was going down.

Shamar Joseph to Pathum Nissanka, Brilliant over so far! Looks rushed so far! Length ball, outside off, Nissanka punches it straight to cover.

Shamar Joseph to Pathum Nissanka, Pathum Nissanka tries to do something different, he shuffles across to paddle it away but fails to hit this short ball away.

Shamar Joseph to Kusal Mendis, A hard length delivery on middle, not giving any width to the batters. Mendis turns it to square leg for a single.

Shamar Joseph to Pathum Nissanka, Good pace from Shamar Joseph! A length ball, around off, Nissanka dabs it to third man for a single.

Shamar Joseph to Pathum Nissanka, Wide! Serves it short but down the leg side. Nissanka looks to flick but misses.

Shamar Joseph to Pathum Nissanka, Back of a length and close to the off pole. Nissanka drops it to covers.

Shamar Joseph to bowl from the other end.

Alzarri Joseph to Pathum Nissanka, Short of a length and angling on leg, Nissanka helps it behind square leg for a single.

Alzarri Joseph to Kusal Mendis, On a length and outside off, Mendis knocks it to covers for a single.

Alzarri Joseph to Pathum Nissanka, Sri Lanka are underway! A good length ball on top of off. Nissanka punches it to the left of mid off for a single.

Alzarri Joseph to Pathum Nissanka, A bit of shape for Joseph! Length ball, outside off and it swings away sharply. Nissanka swings his bat across but only to miss it.

Alzarri Joseph to Pathum Nissanka, Back of a length delivery, outside off, Nissanka hops and taps it to the man at point.

Alzarri Joseph to Pathum Nissanka, Steams in and fires in a fuller delivery on off, Nissanka digs it out to cover.

All set for action. The Windies players are out in the middle. Nissanka-Mendis, the opening pair for Sri Lanka. Alzarri Joseph has the new ball in hand. Let's play...

PITCH REPORT - Russel Arnold is pitchside. He says the pitch is drier than the other day, there are a bit of cracks. Feels different skills will be tested by the bowlers. Shares back of the good length delivery will be crucial by the bowlers. Tells 175 could be a par score on this pitch.

Rovman Powell says it looks a completely different surface to the first match but is ready to chase anything that is given. Mentions they need to continue playing good cricket. Informs Shai Hope unfortunately misses out and Andre Fletcher comes in.

Charith Asalanka says they will bat first. Shares they want to do the same thing as a batting group. Tells the pitch looks drier and could help the spinners. Feels 160-170 could be a par score. Informs the team changes.

West Indies (Playing XI) - Brandon King, Evin Lewis, Andre Fletcher (WK) (In for Shai Hope), Roston Chase, Sherfane Rutherford, Rovman Powell (C), Romario Shepherd, Shamar Springer, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Gudakesh Motie.

Sri Lanka (Playing XI) - Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (WK), Kusal Perera, Kamindu Mendis, Charith Asalanka (C), Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage (On Debut) (In for Chamindu Wickramasinghe), Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana, Nuwan Thushara (In for Asitha Fernando).

TOSS - Sri Lanka have won the toss and will BAT first!

All right! Just like the first match, it's drizzling in Dambulla and the covers are firmly placed. Let's hope it's a passing shower and we finish the pre-match proceedings on time. Stay tuned.

West Indies came out all guns blazing as the openers laid a perfect foundation for the following batters to chase it down. Fresh and already played a lot of T20 recently, West Indies will be raring to go once again and kill the series today however, the hosts will hope for a better performance overall and level the series. Expect a lot of runs to be scored once again. Stay tuned for toss and other updates.

Sri Lanka will hope to bounce back quickly in the series as they'll look to level the score. The Nissanka-Mendis opening stand misfired in the first match and Sri Lanka failed to get the extra push in the Powerplay that they were hoping for. Kamindu Mendis was once again the star with the bat, the new Mr. Consistent for the Lankans took the matter into his hands as his fifty along with the skipper's fifty helped Sri Lanka get close to a decent total.

Hello everyone and welcome to the 2nd T20I between Sri Lanka and West Indies from Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium. The three-match series has kicked off in style with the visitors taking a 1-0 lead to the series. Coming from the recently concluded Caribbean Premier League, a couple of Windies players carried over their T20 momentum to the international stage and helped West Indies chase down a par total convincingly. 

... MATCH DAY...

The West Indies cricket tour of Sri Lanka has roared to life, igniting excitement for the white-ball series ahead. The Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium takes center stage, hosting all three T20I matches before the action shifts to Pallekele. Fans were treated to a run-fest in the opener, with the West Indies clinching a decisive 5-wicket victory to seize a 1-0 series lead. Now, Sri Lanka sets their sights on leveling the score. Their batting showed promise, with the middle order delivering crucial performances. However, areas for refinement remain. The top three batters must find greater consistency to alleviate pressure on the following lineup. This adjustment could prove vital as Sri Lanka aims to rebound and challenge the Windies' early momentum. However, the Sri Lankan middle order has received a significant lift thanks to the remarkable performance of young Kamindu Mendis. Demonstrating exceptional versatility across all formats, Mendis has been accumulating runs with remarkable consistency and apparent ease. Kamindu Mendis has solidified his place in Sri Lanka's middle order with remarkable performances across formats. He recently became the fastest batter since 1950 to reach 1000 Test runs and seamlessly transitioned to T20Is by crafting an impressive 50 in this series-opener. While individual brilliance is noteworthy, Sri Lanka's success ultimately depends on cohesive team performance. The squad boasts players well-suited to the T20I format, but the key lies in optimizing their collective potential. A crucial area for improvement is the bowling department, particularly during the powerplay overs. In the previous match, they struggled to contain the opposition, conceding over 100 runs in the first ten overs while defending their total. This early onslaught disrupted their rhythm, making it difficult to regain control. Moving forward, tightening their bowling in the initial overs will be critical for Sri Lanka to mount a stronger challenge and balance it out. West Indies, on the other hand, kicked off the series with a near-to-perfect performance. Notably, they executed the win without star players like Nicholas Pooran, Andre Russell, and Shimron Hetmyer. Although their squad still boasts experienced players like Evin Lewis and Brandon King, who displayed a thunderous onslaught with the bat and blew apart the Sri Lankan bowling attack and did the bulk of scoring with respective 50s. A notable improvement for the Windies has been their approach against spin bowling, particularly impressive considering Sri Lanka's reputation for formidable spin attacks. This enhanced ability to tackle spin on subcontinental pitches marks a significant stride in their game. However, the bowling department still requires some fine-tuning. With a relatively inexperienced pace contingent, the challenge lies in delivering consistent, impactful performances on foreign soil. As the series progresses, how these young bowlers adapt and perform under pressure will be crucial to the team's continued success. Both teams are evenly matched, each with their own strengths and areas for improvement. Sri Lanka will be eager to leverage their home conditions and spin prowess to level the series, while the West Indies aim to maintain their momentum and prove their adaptability. Who do you think will win?