We can play freely: Unadkat

India pacer Jaydev Unadkat delivers the ball during a nets session at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo yesterday ahead of today's Nidahas Trophy tri-series fixture against Sri Lanka. Photo: AFP

When Bangladesh completed their record chase of 215 to beat Sri Lanka in their second Nidahas Trophy tri-nation T20I game at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Saturday, the series was thrown wide open for all involved.

Following the defeat, Sri Lanka suffered another blow as skipper Dinesh Chandimal was handed a two-match ban as punishment for a 'serious over-rate offence' against the Tigers, leaving the hosts without their regular captain when they take on India today.

Thisara Perera has been named Sri Lanka's captain for the next two crucial matches as Suranga Lakmal, who was named vice-captain ahead of the Nidahas Trophy, has not featured in either of the hosts' games.

All three teams -- Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka -- have won one game apiece from two fixtures and so it will be interesting to see which two teams make it to the final.

Indian pacer Jaydev Unadkat, who picked up three wickets against Bangladesh, praised the Tigers yesterday for their record chase against the Lankans and added that it allowed India to 'go and play freely'.

"It was a very good chase. To chase down 214 against any team by any team is a great feat in this format. They did very well to cope with the pressure on them. I think they executed their plans, they expected what Sri Lanka's bowlers would do. The tournament is now wide open and that allows us to go and play freely out there. It also keeps us on our feet," Unadkat told reporters after a training session.

India bounced back strong after losing their tournament opener by five wickets against Sri Lanka by comfortably defeating Bangladesh by six wickets in their second outing.

And the giants of the subcontinent will be hoping to take an edge over a rather demoralised home side going into the second leg.

Despite posting a challenging total of 174 for five against Sri Lanka in their previous encounter, Rohit Sharma and his troops were unable to restrict the Lankan batsmen due to the inexperience of their bowling line-up, whom Kusal Perera took for 66 off just 37 balls.