Lanka Premier League 2021: Eliminator, Colombo Stars vs Dambulla Giants, Match Prediction – Who will win today’s match?

Colombo Stars are gearing up to lock horns with Dambulla Giants in the Eliminator encounter of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2021. The encounter takes place at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium in Hambantota. Both sides have had a similar campaign in the tournament so far and it would be interesting to see how this game pans out.

With four wins and as many defeats in eight games, Colombo Stars finished third in the team standings. A place below is occupied by Dambulla Giants, who has three wins and four defeats. One of their games got washed out due to rain. While Stars finished above Giants in the team standings, the Dasun Shanaka led side defeated the Stars both twice in the league stage.

Match Details

Match – Colombo Stars vs Dambulla Giants– Eliminator

Venue – Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium, Hambantota

Date and Time – 19 December, 04:00 PM IST

Where to watch live – Sony Sports Network, Sony LIV

Pitch Report

It will be the first match taking place in Hambantota and hence, the track would be pretty fresh. Notably, the venue has traditionally not been high-scoring as the spinners get substantial assistance from the surface.

Average score: 130 (in seven T20Is so far)

Record of chasing teams: Won – 2, Lost – 5, N/R – 0

Probable Playing XIs

Colombo Stars

Dhananjaya de Silva, Angelo Mathews (c), Ashan Priyanjan, Tom Banton, Kusal Perera (wk), Dinesh Chandimal, Keemo Paul, Seekkuge Prasanna, Jeffrey Vandersay, Dushmantha Chameera, Naveen-ul-Haq

Dambulla Giants

Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Philip Salt, Janith Liyanage, Dasun Shanaka (c), Najibullah Zadran, Chamika Karunaratne, Sachitha Jayathilake, Ramesh Mendis, Tharindu Ratnayake, Marchant de Lange, Imran Tahir

Head-to-Head

Played – 2 | Dambulla Giants – 2 | Colombo Stars– 0 | N/R – 0

Probable best batter of the match

Dinesh Chandimal- Colombo Stars

Dinesh Chandimal has arguably been the best batter in the competition. He’s in fact the highest run-scorer of LPL 2021, having notched 275 runs from eight games at an average of 55.00 and a strike rate of 151.93. He has scored one half-century with a top score of an unbeaten 65. If he clicks again, Dambulla Giants would endure a tough time.

Probable best bowler of the match

Jeffrey Vandersay – Colombo Stars

Fresh from a six-fer in the last game, Jeffrey Vandersay won’t mind replicating his heroics again. The leg-spinner made the ball talk in his last outing against Kandy Warriors and recorded figures of 6/25. Although the 31-year-old has a knack of conceding runs, he makes it up by taking vital wickets.

Today’s match prediction: Dambulla Giants to win the game.

Disclaimer: This prediction is based on the understanding, analysis, and instinct of the author. While making your prediction, consider the points mentioned, and make your own decision.