SL vs IND: Sri Lanka Look For Positive Winning Ways Against Red-Hot India To Avoid Whitewash In T20I Series

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Sri Lanka (SL) will host India (IND) in the final T20I of the three-match series on Tuesday, July 30 at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. Two grueling and intensely competitive days of cricket have showcased a series of riveting and closely-fought contests. Despite the exhilarating play, India emerged victorious in both matches with considerable authority, securing an unassailable lead.

SL vs IND Previous Performances

The first match was marked by a spectacular bowling resurgence, as the Men in Blue India  dismantled the hosts’ resistance, claiming nine wickets while conceding merely 30 runs. This impressive performance orchestrated a remarkable 43-run comeback victory.

Meanwhile, the main highlight of the second game was how Ravi Bishnoi and the batting line-up stepped up in a rain-curtailed match to get the team over the line, courtesy of DLS (Duckworth-Lewis-Stern) method. Regarding the playing combinations for the third and final game, a few adjustments are anticipated from both teams.

SL vs IND Head to Head

Matches 31
Won by Sri Lanka 9
Won by India 21
No Result 1
First-ever Fixture February 10, 2009
Most-recent Fixture July 28, 2024

SL vs IND Pitch Report

Given that the pitch has been utilized in both previous matches, the inclusion of spinners is anticipated, while there will still be ample opportunity for fast bowlers to experiment with their variations. Both preceding matches have been high-scoring encounters, so it is likely that this final game will follow a similar trend. Anything above 200 can be considered a fighting total at the venue.

After two matches on the same pitch, this game will be played on a fresh surface in Pallekele. In the first two matches, batting conditions were the best earlier on and got tougher as the match progressed, bringing spinners into play and encouraging changes of pace from the quicks. The new pitch is not expected to play too differently.

Following a couple of days of brief drizzle in Kandy, there is prediction of scattered showers on Tuesday evening as well, which could impact the game.

SL vs IND Big Picture Sri Lanka’s middle-order worries

In the first T20I, Sri Lanka lost nine wickets for 30 runs. In the second, they lost seven for 32. This has been the theme for the hosts so far in Charith Asalanka’s first series as Sri Lanka’s full-time T20I captain. Asalanka himself managed just scores of 0 and 14 in the two games.

The top three have fired in both matches, with Sri Lanka getting to scores of 140 and 80 at the fall of the second wicket. Pathum Nissanka is the leading run-scorer in the series. Kusal Perera has a half-century, while Kusal Mendis made 45 in the first match. But beyond them, it has been a bleak showing, with Kamindu Mendis’ 26 in the second T20I the highest score from the middle and lower orders.

Sri Lanka will need to find a way out of their middle-order muddle and deliver on the platform being set by their top order. India would want some of their batters like Sanju Samson, Rinku Singh and Riyan Parag to get some more time in the middle, and having sealed the series with comprehensive performances, don’t have too much else they need to address.

SL vs IND Vital Stats that matters

  • Matheesha Pathirana has dismissed Suryakumar Yadav in all three T20 innings he has bowled to him. Sri Lanka could be encouraged to introduce Pathirana to the attack earlier than usual to try and target India’s skipper.
  • Unlike in ODIs, where Sri Lanka are Mohammed Siraj’s favorite opposition, the fast bowler has struggled against them in T20Is. He averages 39 against them in the format, as opposed to 7.68 in ODIs, and has just three wickets in four matches. His lone wicket in this series was of Pathirana, and he would look to improve his numbers on Tuesday.
  • Wanindu Hasaranga’s 15 wickets against India are the most he has taken against any opposition. In this series, he has dismissed Yashaswi Jaiswal twice, and he would be a bowler the Indians will be wary of.
  • Since January 1, 2023, Sri Lanka have tried 11 batters in the position from 5-7. Only four of those – which includes Wanindu Hasaranga and Dasun Shanaka – have scored at a strike rate of higher than 150
  • Sri Lanka have lost six of the last eight T20Is they’ve played in Pallekele since 2019

SL vs IND Team News and Playing 11’s

India: There was no practice session for the team. Shubman Gill, who missed out the previous game due to a neck spasm should return. India could also be tempted to give chances to Khaleel Ahmed and Washington Sundar.

Tactics & Matchups: Pathum Nissanka may have dealt with Axar Patel slightly well in this series, but the left-arm spinner has usually managed to control the in-form Sri Lankan opener, conceding only 39 runs in 30 balls and dismissing him twice.

Probable XI: Shubman Gill, Yashaswi Jaiswal, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant/Sanju Samson, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Riyan Parag, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohammed Siraj, Khaleel Ahmed

Sri Lanka: With issues in the middle order needing a fix, the hosts could be tempted to bring in Dinesh Chandimal in place of Dasun Shanaka. The other option they might be tempted to try out would be to bring in Avishka Fernando and push Kamindu Mendis slightly lower down.

Tactics & Matchups: Wanindu Hasaranga has dismissed Sanju Samson thrice in 11 balls, conceding only two runs against the batter who has struck at a rate of above 150 in T20s in 2024

Probable XI: Kusal Mendis, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Dinesh Chandimal/Avishka Fernando, Charith Asalanka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Ramesh Mendis/Dilshan Madhushanka, Matheesha Pathirana, Asitha Fernando

Fantasy XI Ind vs SL : Yashaswi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, Ravi Bishnoi, Suryakumar Yadav, Axar Patel, Mohammed Siraj, Kusal Perera, Pathum Nissanka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Matheesha Pathirana

SL vs IND Probable Top Performers of the Match

Probable Best Batter: Yashaswi Jaiswal

The enterprising southpaw has made impressive starts in the past few games but has been unable to convert these promising beginnings into substantial scores. As he is not included in the ODI squad, this will be his final international appearance until potentially September, when he is more than likely to be selected for the Test series against Bangladesh. Consequently, he will be eager to leave a lasting impression.

Probable Best Bowler: Ravi Bishnoi

The astute leg-spinner appears to have regained his form, particularly evident from his performance in the previous match. Given that the pitch has been utilized in two prior games, the Sri Lankan batters may find it increasingly challenging to decipher his elusive variations. The Player of the Match from the previous encounter and India’s top T20I spinner is expected to be the key to the Men in Blue’s success with the ball.

SL vs IND Match Prediction

Scenario 1

Sri Lanka win the toss and opt to bowl first.

Powerplay Score: 50-60

Score: 200-220

India win the match.

Scenario 2

India win the toss and opt to bowl first.

Powerplay Score: 45-55

Score: 165-185

India win the match.

Also Read: IND vs ENG: “Side Arm Specialists In India Need To Work Hard To Prepare Batters For Tough Times”- Abhishek Jain Gives His Invaluable Insights

 

 


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