Asia Cup T20 Match 7 Preview: Sri Lanka face the Indian test

Unbeaten India will take on the uncertain Sri Lanka side at the Sher- e-Bangla Stadium Mirpur. The Lankan Lions are in a tricky position currently and cannot afford to lose any further games if they wish to qualify for the finals. A win tonight will take them to the second spot, solidifying their position in the tournament to an extent. However, a loss would mean that they would be virtually out of the competition. The leader of the points table India is certainly the favorites. They appear to be more balanced and consistent than their opponents and would like to continue their winning momentum.

India:

India has had a very interesting tournament. Bangladesh, to an extent, were incompetent against them. Pakistan game was a bit of a test. Indians cannot write off the Lankans who seem to be struggling at the moment. The conditions are not going to change and the batsmen have to be cautious about their responsibility. Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan both are fit to play after recovering from injuries. MS Dhoni, who is struggling with back spasm, is also unlikely to sit out. Suresh Raina was an upset in the last game and would prove his mettle playing on green tops. Yuvraj Singh and Hardik Pandya have done their job perfectly, turning out to be very reliable. Bowling isn’t a concern. Ashish Nehra and Jasprit Bumrah have been very difficult to handle and are providing breakthroughs at the start while the spinner are also doing their job fantastically.

Sri Lanka:

Sri Lanka would be cursing their luck. Firstly, they have an inexperienced side. And in addition, to that, the fitness of regular skipper Lasith Malinga has turned out as a major concern. Malinga missed their previous game against Bangladesh due to a niggle in the knee. The bowling looks completely hollow without him. Nuwan Kulasekara and Angelo Matthews cannot create the kind of impact Malinga does. Batting has been at its worse. They have failed to go past the 130-run mark in the last two matches which they played against UAE and Bangladesh.

The top order must give them a start and carry on if they aim to win the match tonight. Not everything is against them though. Sri Lanka can gain confidence from the pitch conditions. The pitches in Bangladesh have been seamer friendly so far and the last time both teams met on a green top. The Lankans had completely toppled the Indians. The pace attack comprising of Kulasekara, Dushmanta Chameera, Dasun Shanaka and the stand-in skipper Matthew have the quality. Their only chance to beat the cruising Indian team is to get their act together as a unit.

Probable XI:

India: 

Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, Yuvraj Singh, MS Dhoni (Wk & C), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, R. Ashwin, Ashish Nehra, Jasprit Bumrah

Sri Lanka:

Dinesh Chandimal (Wk), Tillakaratne Dilshan, Milinda Siriwardana, Dasun Shanaka, Angelo Mathews (C), Chamara Kapugedara, Shehan Jayasuriya, Thisara Perera, Nuwan Kulasekara, Rangana Herath,  Dushmantha Chameera

Stats that matter:

1. Virat Kohli has crossed fifty in each of his two T20I innings against Sri Lanka so far, making 68 and 77.

2. Angelo Mathews has taken 10 wickets in the opening over of the inning – most by any bowler.

3. In 9 T20Is against India, Sri Lanka have lost five and won four.

4. Mahendra Singh Dhoni has scored 925 runs and needs 75 more to achieve the 1,000 runs milestone. Mahi has also taken 49 dismissals and needs just 1 more to complete 50 dismissals in T20Is.