Sri Lanka v India, 3rd ODI: Sri Lanka Predicted XI

With India leading the 5-match series at 2-0, it is now are never for Sri Lanka in the Third One-dayer at Pallekele. After the humiliating defeat in the first ODI at Dambulla, the hosts had the perfect opportunity to equal the series at 1-1 but ended up on the losing side, thanks to some brilliant batting performance from Bhuvneshwar Kumar and one of the best finishers of all time, MS Dhoni. Upul Tharanga and Dhanushka Gunathilika are the unforced changes in expected in the eleven on the 27th from the Lankan side. Let us look at the predicted XI of the island nation in the 3rd One Dayer.

Openers (Niroshan Dickwella and Lahiru Thirimanne)

While taking the field against India in the second ODI, Sri Lankan opener Dhanushka Gunathilaka landed awkwardly while protecting the Point region. He further aggravated his shoulder the next ball with another dive to his right. As a result, he misses out in the 3rd ODI. The ideal replacement for Gunathilaka would be none other than Lahiru Thirimanne, who last represented his side at Lord’s vs England more than a year back.

He was all set to carry the baton of Sri Lankan Cricket post the retirement of Sanga and Jayawardena, therefore, would be itching to have a go at the Indians to cement his place in the side and gaining the trust of the selectors. Niroshan Dickwella has been the only batsman from the Sri Lankan side who has successfully applied pressure on the Indian bowlers. Together with Thirimanne, Sri Lanka might have the perfect opening pair in the absence of Gunathilaka.

Middle Order (Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Chamara Kapugedara)

The middle order of Sri Lankans seems fragile at the moment looking at the last couple of One Dayers. The hosts have had the tendency to lose wickets in heaps after gaining a formidable advantage at the start. The Lankans are in dire need of stability in the middle to put pressure on the spin attack of the Indians.

Sri Lankan captain Upul Tharanga misses out on a couple of matches, aggravating the troubles for the struggling side. His void will be completed by Test captain Dinesh Chandimal who would bring about some solidarity in the middle following the dangerous Kusal Mendis. Angelo Matthews might have to take more responsibility with the bat as he follows Chandimal.

Chamara Kapugedara, who was impressive in the previous game, would expect a few hits in the end. He would additionally have to lead the side in the absence of Tharanga, given the sour experiences of Chandimal and Matthews with ODI captaincy. In totality, it is expected that the out of form Sri Lankan middle order would step up to the occasion.

All Rounder (Angelo Matthews, Milinda Siriwardena)

The all round department for Sri Lanka will be handled by Milinda Siriwardena and Angelo Matthews. Siriwardena had an eventful second game of the series as he justified his place in the team in place of Hasaranga with both bat and ball. Lankans slipped down to 121-5 from 70-1 in the previous game and when the chips were down, Siriwardena forged a vital partnership with Chamara Kapugedera of 91 runs, to take his side to a respectable position.

Siriwardena scored a run a ball 58 in the process. He also gave able support to rookie Dhananjaya in between his dream spell at the other end by keeping things tight and taking Shikhar Dhawan out of the equation. Angelo Matthews perhaps took the catch of the season in the second game to dismiss Shikhar Dhawan.

Bowlers (Akila Dhananjaya, Lasith Malinga, Vishwa Fernando, Dushmantha Chameera)

The star-studded batting line up had no answer to the offies, the leggies and the googlies of young rookie Akila Dhananjaya as he picked up six quick wickets in his spell of eight overs which changed the course of the entire game. Indians were cruising at 109-0 with Rohit Sharma looking at his imperious best and Shikhar Dhawan making full use of his purple patch. Indians were reduced to 131-7 as the lost Axar Patel, anticipating another upset.

Although India won the match comfortably, in the end, thanks to a couple of incredible innings from MSD and Bhuvi, he was still awarded the man of the match award. Except for Siriwardena, none of the bowlers were able to provide support to Akila which in turn resulted in the Sri Lankan loss.

The pace attack of Sri Lanka remains toothless and have given away easy runs to the batsman. Seam Attack will be handled by Lasith Malinga, Vishwa Fernando and Dushmantha Chameera who would look come up with a better performance.