Sri Lanka v India, 4th ODI – Match Result Predictions

With the ODI series already in the bag, India move to Colombo for the 4th ODI against Sri Lanka. In the context of the series result, it will be inconsequential but all is not over yet for both the sides. Where India would look to take the opportunity to test the bench strength in the remaining 2 games, Sri Lanka would have the 2019 World Cup direct qualification in mind as they need one victory to ensure a direct entry.

The Sri Lankan team has been in all sorts of trouble. The bowling and batting have failed miserably. The captains are being banned or removed, the major players are getting injured, it’s been an absolute nightmare for the hosts. Now, it will be interesting to see if the veteran Lasith Malinga can inspire the team to win or the same story would repeat itself.

For India, it’s been the way that they would have hoped for. The series was sealed in the last game. Now, they have good two games to give opportunities to the 4 players who have been warming the benches so far. While experimentation is on the list yet winning and enforcing a whitewash would be of paramount importance.

Here is what Crictracker predicts for the game:

Scenario 1: Sri Lanka wins the toss

Toss prediction: Sri Lanka will choose to bowl first

First innings score prediction: 320-330

Result prediction: India will win the match by more than 70 runs

Scenario 2: India wins the toss

Toss prediction: India will choose to bowl first

Result prediction: India will win the match by 7 wickets

Head to Head Record

Overall: Total Matches – 159, India Won – 86, Sri Lanka Won – 55, No Result/Tied – 18

Matches in Sri Lanka: Total Matches – 65, India Won – 26, Sri Lanka Won – 27, No Result/Tied – 12

India need just one victory to draw level with Sri Lanka in terms of head to head victories in the island nation. The odds of that happening are very high. Given the current form of the 2 sides, it’s even possible that India reach 28 victories in Sri Lanka at the end of the series.

Playing Combinations:

Sri Lanka

Niroshan Dickwella, after 2 decent knocks, failed in the 3rd ODI. In the absence of Dinesh Chandimal, Dilshan Munaweera is expected to open the innings alongside Dickwella. Kusal Mendis needs to convert the starts that he has been getting so far. Lahiru Thirimanne got a decent 80 in the last game but consumed plenty for that. The defining knock needs to be played by the veteran Angelo Mathews.

Lasith Malinga will be captaining the side in the absence of Chamara Kapugedera who has been dropped. The pacers Vishwa Fernando and Dushmanta Chameera have not been effective but Akila Dananjaya has been the standout performer but the Indian batsmen handled him better in the last game. The youngster needs to repeat the performance of the 2nd ODI again if the hosts have any chance of winning.

Predicted XI:  Angelo Mathews, Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Dilshan Munaweera, Lahiru Thirimanne, Kusal Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva, Akila Dananjaya, Lasith Malinga (c), Dushmantha Chameera, Milinda Siriwardana, Vishwa Fernando

India

Shikhar Dhawan suffered a rare failure as he was castled by Malinga for just 5. But Rohit Sharma scored a brilliant century to guide the team home. Ajinkya Rahane might get a look in by resting Dhawan. Virat Kohli has missed out in 2 games in a row and he would be looking to get back amongst runs. Manish Pandey may be called in place of KL Rahul at No.4. MS Dhoni, who has played back to back solid innings, will bat at No.5 and Kedar Jadhav will hold his place most probably.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who hasn’t picked up a single wicket in the series, may be dropped for Shardul Thakur. The other pacer Jasprit Bumrah bagged a fifer in the last game and is the leading wicket-taker in the series. The benched Kuldeep Yadav might get a go in place of Yuzvendra Chahal. Axar Patel could hold on to his place given his skills with the bat. Hardik Pandya hasn’t done a lot so far and would be itching to contribute

Predicted XI: Virat Kohli(c), Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma (vc), Manish Pandey, MS Dhoni (wk), Kedar Jadhav, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah

The Sri Lankan side is depleted after the losses and the injuries and suspensions have not helped their cause. It will be highly surprising if we see a different result this time around.

India are the favorites once more and should win the 4th game in a row.

Do let us know your predictions in the comments section below.