SL vs IND: 3rd ODI Preview – Buoyant India aim to complete a clean sweep

After being rolled over in the first ODI against India, Sri Lanka managed to put up a better in the second game. However, an inspiration show from the visitors’ lower order led them to win the game and the series despite being down and out at one stage in the contest.

After electing to bat first in the second ODI, Sri Lanka managed to post a better score than their 263 in the opening game. Their 276-run target did not seem too challenging against India’s tall batting order at the start, but when Sri Lanka reduced the team to five down for 116, it seemed that they had a chance to level the series.

That was further brought down to 193/7 in the 36th over before Deepak Chahar entered the scene in some style to snatch a victory for his team from the jaws of defeat. Alongside Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Chahar added 84 for the eighth wicket in as many balls and led India to a three-wicket win.

Despite being a second-string team of sorts, India have managed to have the better of Sri Lanka twice in the series. In the final ODI, they would not want to change anything in their approach. However, it will take a miracle for Sri Lanka to avoid a clean sweep.

Team News 

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka brought in pacer Kasun Rajitha in the previous game after Isuru Udana leaked runs in the opening game. However, their move did not pay off much.

Predicted XI: Avishka Fernando, Minod Bhanuka (WK), Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dasun Shanaka (C), Chamika Karunaratne, Wanindu Hasaranga, Kasun Rajitha, Lakshan Sandakan, Dushmantha Chameera

India

After pocketing the ODI series in the first two matches, the Indian side may experiment with fresh players. The squad has plenty of uncapped options who will be keen to get a game. The team may as well stick with the winning combination.

Predicted XI: Shikhar Dhawan (C), Prithvi Shaw, Ishan Kishan (WK), Suryakumar Yadav, Manish Pandey, Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya, Deepak Chahar, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal

Match Info

Match: Sri Lanka vs India, 3rd ODI

Dates: July 18, 2021

Time: 03:00 PM IST, 09:30 AM GM

Venue: R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo