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Sri Lankan Cricket Team. (Photo Source: X(Twitter)
After a comprehensive defeat against Afghanistan, Sri Lanka (SL) are all but out of the semi-final race in the ODI World Cup 2023. Kusal Mendis and Co. will have an uphill task when they take on unbeaten India (IND) at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Thursday, November 2.
Sri Lanka lost their first three matches in the marquee event before making a comeback of sorts with two consecutive wins. However, their momentum hit a roadblock against Hashmatullah Shahidi’s men, and it has made their semi-final qualification scenario quite complicated. Beating a confident Indian side is going to be quite difficult for the Lankan Lions, but they will have to try and go for the jugular to put smiles back on the faces of their passionate fans.
Here’s Sri Lanka’s Predicted XI against India:
Openers: Dimuth Karunaratne, Pathum Nissanka
Jos-Buttler-and-Pathum-Nissanka. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
Dimuth Karunaratne replaced Kusal Perera in Sri Lanka’s previous game against Afghanistan. The southpaw scored 15 off 21 balls. Karunaratne is one of the most experienced batters in the Sri Lankan lineup. He will have the responsibility of batting long and setting up a solid platform for his team.
Pathum Nissanka has been in fine touch in the ODI World Cup 2023, as he has scored four fifties in six matches and is averaging 57.80 with 289 runs under his belt. Sri Lankan fans would love to see him register a three-figure score against India.
Also Check: Most Runs in ODI World Cup 2023
Middle Order: Kusal Mendis (C/WK), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka
Kusal Mendis. ({Photo Source: ISHARA S.KODIKARA/AFP via Getty Images)
Kusal Mendis had a glorious start to the showpiece event. However, he has tapered off since donning the captain’s hat. Sri Lanka will need Mendis to come out all guns blazing, as he is one of their primary match-winners.
Sadeera Samarawickrama is Sri Lanka’s leading run-getter in the competition. The stylish right-handed batter has amassed 331 runs in six matches at a staggering average of 82.75 and an impressive strike rate of 104.42.
Charith Asalanka has not done justice to his potential like many of his teammates. The diminutive batter has only scored 171 runs in five innings and has only one score in excess of 50. He has been one of Sri Lanka’s mainstays since his debut in 2021. If he finds form, the ‘Lankan Lions’ will be held in good stead.
All-rounders: Dhananjaya de Silva, Angelo Mathews
Angelo Mathews. (Photo Source: Twitter)
Dhananjaya de Silva’s form in the competition has been woeful, to say the least. He has scored just 87 runs in six matches at a paltry average of 17.40 and a strike rate of 70.16. De Silva has been equally disappointing with the ball, failing to bag a wicket after bowling 120 deliveries and conceding runs at an economy rate of 6.60.
Angelo Mathews came in as a replacement for the injured Matheesha Pathirana. He is surprisingly batting at No. 7. In the game against England, Mathews bowled in great channels and picked up a couple of wickets. Mathews could add more value to the team if he bats a little bit higher in the batting order.
Bowlers: Dunith Wellalage, Dushmantha Chameera, Kasun Rajitha, Dilshan Madushanka
Sri Lanka’s Dushmantha Chameera. (Photo by LINDSEY PARNABY/AFP/Getty Images)
Dunith Wellalage might get a game in place of Maheesh Theekshana, who has managed to pick up just three wickets in five games at an average of 76 and a strike rate of 90.67. Wellalage caused India some serious problems in their Super Four game in the Asia Cup 2023, and that could be another reason to have him in the starting XI. His ability to contribute runs with the bat will also come in handy.
Dushmantha Chameera came into the 15-member squad as a replacement for the injured Lahiru Kumara. The experienced campaigner bowled 9.2 overs against Afghanistan and conceded 51 runs without picking up a wicket.
Kasun Rajitha has picked up eight wickets in four matches so far at an average of 28 and a strike rate of 27. However, he has an economy rate of 6.22. Rajitha can swing the new ball, and Mendis will hope for some early wickets from him.
Dilshan Madushanka is Sri Lanka’s leading wicket-taker by a distance. He has picked up 13 wickets at an average of 24.46 and a strike rate of 24. However, like Rajitha, Madushanka also has an economy rate of over six. The Indian batters have had their problems against left-arm pacers in the past, and the Hambantota-born will hope to aggravate the same.
Sri Lanka predicted XI vs India:
Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Mendis (c/wk), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Angelo Mathews, Dunith Wellalage, Dushmantha Chameera, Kasun Rajitha, Dilshan Madushanka
