🏏India vs Sri Lanka, 3rd ODI - GIS, Thiruvananthapuram 🏏

🏏India vs Sri Lanka, 3rd ODI - GIS, Thiruvananthapuram  🏏

Happy Sankranti/ Lohri/ Bihu to all our S/C members

⭐️Indian team started this year with sway over the game. The team first trounced the Lankan team in the T20I series by 2-1 and now has an unassailable lead in the ODI series.👏

The third and final match of the 3-match ODI series will be played on Sunday, January 15th at Thiruvananthapuram. This match will be taken as a mere formality as the series is already ascended by India. 

The Indian side can make several changes in the playing 11 and can power their bench strength in the final match of the series.

The first two matches have been a jigsaw puzzle as both bowlers and batters have got the chance to prove their importance. In the 1st ODI, Virat Kohli burst 113 runs, skipper Rohit Sharma got 83, and Shubman Gill knocked 70 runs which gave India a solid start. 

Though the Sri Lankan team was relinquished by 67 runs, skipper Dasun Shanaka staged a marvelous hundred and scored unbeaten 108 runs in 88 deliveries. Pathum Nissanka also impressed with his 72 runs.

In the next game, the bowlers were on show as the batting from both sides looked impotent. For Sri Lanka, debutant Nuwanidu Fernando smacked 50 and for India, KL Rahul scored 64 runs. 

However, KL Rahul's half-century threw much impact on the game, and hence India just not won the game but also attained a series. 

India spearheads Umran Malik and Mohammad Siraj have emerged as the leading wicket-takers with 5-5 dismissals in 2 matches. For Sri Lanka, Kasun Rajitha is at the top with 4 wickets. 

The rest of the bowlers from both teams have got success. After a complete performance in Guwahati, and a hard-fought win in Kolkata India have an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series. Ahead of taking on a stiffer opposition in New Zealand just next week, the hosts wouldn't want to let their guard down even in the dead rubber.

IND vs SL Head-to-Head:

Total – 164
India – 95
Sri Lanka – 57
Tied – 01
No Result – 11 

What to expect: Pitch Report-- A bit of clouds but no interruption is expected for the game day. The dew should make chasing the preferred choice of captains. Pacers do get assistance at the venue but the batters will also enjoy the shorter boundaries here.

India: Injury kept Chahal out of the second ODI in Kolkata, and it's unclear yet if he has recovered sufficiently to return to the XI. At the end of the game, Rohit mentioned the need to manage players workload, and that could translate into a chance for some of them on the bench.

Probable XI: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Mohammed Shami/Mohammed Siraj, Umran Malik, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav/Yuzvendra Chahal 

Sri Lanka: The visitors too have injury concerns in their camp and are fretting over the fitness of Dilshan Madushanka (shoulder injury) and Pathum Nissanka (stiff back).

Probable XI: Nuwanidu Fernando, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis (wk), Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dasun Shanaka (c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Dunith Wellalage, Lahiru Kumara, Kasun Rajitha

Series conceded 2-0, Sri Lanka will have pride to play for in the third and final ODI against India in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday (January 15). While there are no Super League points at stake in this inconsequential clash, Sri Lanka do have a one final shot at automatic qualification for the 2023 World Cup later in India when they take on New Zealand at home and a win before that would do their confidence a world of good.

On the other hand, the World Cup hosts have a packed multi-format home season ahead with at least 12 more ODIs and an Asia Cup to go after this and the players' workload would be on the management's mind. 

"We haven't thought about it yet, once we get there we'll have a look at the pitch and have a look at some of our guys," captain Rohit Sharma said at the Eden Gardens on the expected changes for the final game of the series. 

"There are three ODIs coming up against New Zealand as well, so we need to keep the guys fresh. We've got a long season now and we need to keep everything in mind. If needed, we'll make some changes," he added.

f not in the batting-order - where the team management has backed Shubman Gill and a recently-demoted vice-captain KL Rahul despite the red-hot form of Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav in white-ball cricket - India could ring in some changes in the bowling department to manage the bowlers' workload. The only left-arm pacer in the squad, Arshdeep Singh, could get a look in as India seek to test their bench strength in the lead up to their World Cup preparations.

The focus would once again be on Kuldeep Yadav, who bowled superbly in Kolkata but may find himself sidelined once again after yet another Player of the Match performance - like in Bangladesh in the recently-concluded Test series - should India's first-choice wristspinner Yuzvendra Chahal recover fully.

• Virat Kohli averages 57.47 in ODIs and hit a century in the first ODI of the series. The former captain is our pick for India’s highest run scorer in this game. With the ball, Umran Malik has been a consistent wicket taker in the IT20s and ODIs over the last two weeks. He is a strong choice for India’s top wicket taker against Sri Lanka. 
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Kusal Mendis has hit two centuries and 20 scores over fifty in this format and the keeper-batter is well worth backing as Sri Lanka’s highest run scorer in this match. Chamika Karunaratne dismissed Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya in the last ODI and he is our tip for Sri Lanka’s top wicket taker on Sunday. 

Umran Malik is instructed to take wickets in this team and not to worry about conceding runs. He has done exactly that in this series and we recommend backing him to take over 1.5 wickets in this clash.

Although there were moments when India were in trouble in Thursday’s game, they showed themselves capable of winning from another type of situation. They will be confident of recording a 3-0 win.

After reducing India to 86-4, Sri Lanka were unable to take another wicket for 20 overs and lost the momentum in the second ODI. They have the players to cause India problems but we think they will struggle to win this final ODI.

Both teams to want to bowl first in this game and avoid fielding in the most humid conditions of the day.

It will be hot and humid throughout this day-night game. Even after the sun sets, the temperature will remain above 25 degrees. 

While most of India is gripping with a January cold wave, it is a refreshing change to bring you today’s cricketing action from a warm 31 degree afternoon from Thiruvananthapuram. The series is already sealed, and if there is scope for experimentation in the Indian squad, it needs to happen today, with supremely talented batters like Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav waiting in the wings. Skipper Rohit Sharma did mention in the previous presentation that changes would be subject only to workload management, so it would be interesting to see what team takes the field today.

Thanks for the tag🧡

Happy Makar Sankranti/Pongal/Lohri/Bihu to all!

Hope India sweeps 3-0😁