Huge image: Be careful for spin and rain
The continent’s crown jewel is on the road, however the two groups combating for it come into the ultimate with totally different motivations. India haven’t lifted
any multi-team trophy since their Asia Cup win in 2018, and are determined to understand how that feels. Sri Lanka,
ODI rating No. 8, wish to drill it in that regardless of making the ODI World Cup solely via the qualifiers, they’re extra than simply darkish horses.
Hosts Sri Lanka possess the template to defeat India, as a result of they
very practically did so final week. They’d bowled India out for 213 – all ten wickets taken by spinners, together with 4 by a part-time offspinner – and had been favourites on the midway stage. However their top-order allow them to down. Rattled by India’s tempo, they might by no means actually get well.
With a sluggish, turning floor anticipated for Sunday, Sri Lanka’s finest wager can be to comply with that bowling plan, topped up with a greater batting present. Going their approach is a powerful efficiency in a difficult chase
in opposition to Pakistan within the digital semi-final, however that was a batting-friendly floor. They are going to sorely miss
the injured Maheesh Theekshana, a wicket-taking risk at each stage of an ODI innings.
India come into the ultimate
on the again of a defeat, however with key gamers resting for the Bangladesh recreation, that consequence might not be of a lot significance. Each batter of their first XI has not less than one huge rating whereas their bowlers look in nice rhythm. Their stability, although, can be examined with the allrounder Axar Patel
additionally dominated out with a hamstring niggle.
All that planning will matter for little or no if the climate does not maintain up. A shortened match or a washout are each potential since climate forecasts predict rain on Sunday (and Monday, the reserve day).
Type information
India LWWWW (final 5 accomplished ODIs, most up-to-date first)
Sri Lanka WLWWW
Within the highlight: Mendis, Thakur and Washington
Kusal Mendis has been having fun with a purple patch as Sri Lanka’s No. 3. With
253 runs in 5 video games, he’s the second-highest run-scorer of the collection and his three fifties have are available wins over Pakistan (91), Bangladesh (50), and Afghanistan (92). rating in opposition to India – ideally a century having been dismissed within the nineties twice – is the one factor lacking from his Asia Cup 2023 CV.
Will
Shardul Thakur or Washington Sundar be India’s No. 8? With Axar dominated out, India have to allocate his overs to another person, ideally one other spinner if the floor stays as anticipated. That makes Washington a favorite together with his offbreaks a great match-up in opposition to Sri Lanka’s left-hand batters. However Washington solely flew in from Bengaluru on Friday, and Shardul has been in Sri Lanka all alongside, making key contributions with the ball. India have an vital name to make on match day.
Crew information: Tilak within the closing for India?
If India go together with Thakur at No. 8, then
Tilak Varma could possibly be chosen for his function as a 3rd spin-bowling possibility.
India (possible): 1 Rohit Sharma (capt), 2 Shubman Gill, 3 Virat Kohli, 4 KL Rahul (wk), 5 Ishan Kishan/Tilak Varma, 6 Hardik Pandya, 7 Ravindra Jadeja, 8 Shardul Thakur/Washington Sundar, 9 Kuldeep Yadav, 10 Mohammed Siraj, 11 Jasprit Bumrah
For Sri Lanka, legspinner
Dushan Hemantha is the favorite to interchange Theekshana. They might additionally herald allrounder Sahan Arachchige, however Hemantha has stronger bowling credentials. Kusal Perera ought to preserve his place within the XI.
Sri Lanka (possible): 1 Kusal Perera, 2 Pathum Nissanka, 3 Kusal Mendis (wk), 4 Sadeera Samarawickrama, 5 Charith Asalanka, 6 Dhananjaya de Silva, 7 Dasun Shanaka (capt), 8 Dunith Wellalage, 9 Dushan Hemantha, 10 Matheesha Pathirana, 11 Kasun Rajitha
Pitch and circumstances: Lots for the bowlers
This would be the sixth match in 9 days on the R Premadasa Stadium, so a sluggish, turning floor is on the playing cards. Nonetheless, the anticipated moist circumstances might play a consider how a lot the ball really turns.
Stats and trivia: Win toss, bat first
“Profitable the [Asia Cup] closing is essential for us as a result of we have to create a successful behavior. Peaking on the proper time and gaining momentum on the proper time is vital.”
India batter Shubman Gill after Friday’s Tremendous 4 recreation in opposition to Bangladesh
“The boys wish to ship for the nation. As a workforce, we’ve got been underdogs. Everybody desires to carry out on the greater stage and these children want to indicate the world what they’re able to. That is the key of this younger workforce.”
Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka on his workforce’s motivation
