DAM vs GAL Match Prediction – Who will win today’s match? LPL 2020, Match 12

Galle Gladiators had a forgettable outing in the first half of their league stage in the inaugural Lanka Premier League. The team, led by Bhanuka Rajapaksha, are languishing at the bottom of the points table, having lost all their four matches and with a terrible net run rate of -1.113.

Moreover, the fact that they lost Shahid Afridi may not augur well for them going deep into the T20 tournament. Their next match is against the Dambulla Viiking in the first of Saturday’s doubleheader in Hambantota.

The Viiking, captained by Dasun Shanaka, must be high on confidence after winning three out of their first four games. Another victory would nearly take them to the semis. But they need to take care of their nrr, which is at -0.394. An exciting match seems to be on the cards.

Pitch and Conditions

The pitch in Hambantota has generally been a batsman’s paradise. But of late, the bowlers had had something in the track for them. The spinners have gotten a bit of grip and the pitches may even slow down further going forward. The playing conditions will be cloudy with around five per cent chances of rain. The temperature will be around 30 degrees Celsius with the humidity in the 60s.

Playing Combinations for DAM vs GAL

Dambulla Vikings

Probable XI

Upul Tharanga, Niroshan Dickwella (WK), Dasun Shanaka (C), Samit Patel, Samiullah Shinwari, Ramesh Mendis, Anwar Ali, Pulina Tharanga, Malinda Pushpakumara, Kasun Rajitha, Sachindu Colombage

Bench– Angelo Perera, Kavindu Nadeeshan, Ashen Bandara, Dilshan Madushanka, Oshada Fernando, Lahiru Madushanka, Aftab Alam, Lahiru Kumara, Paul Stirling

Galle Gladiators

Probable XI

Danushka Gunathilaka, Ahsan Ali, Bhanuka Rajapaksha, Azam Khan, Shehan Jayasuriya, Chadwick Walton, Dhananjaya Lakshan, Mohammad Amir, Akila Dananjaya, Lakshan Sandakan, Asitha Fernando

Bench– Chanaka Ruwansiri, Sahan Arachchige, Duvindu Tilakaratne, Waqas Maqsood, Nuwan Thushara, Hazratullah Zazai, Milinda Siriwardana, Mohamed Shiraz

Probable Top Performers for DAM vs GAL

Samit Patel– Dambulla Viiking

Samit Patel, by far, has been the standout player for the Viiking in the tournament. Having delivered with both bat and ball, the Englishman has shown the effectiveness he brings to the table for his team.

In four matches, he has scored 140 runs at an average and strike-rate of 35 and 144.32 respectively. He also has picked up five wickets and a more than decent economy rate of 7.97.

Danushka Gunathilaka– Galle Gladiators

Danushka Gunathilaka has been the standout performer for the Gladiators by a country mile. On every other instance, he has given his team brisk starts.

In the four matches he has played, the left-handed batter has 206 runs at an average and strike-rate of 68.66 and 45.07 respectively. He has indeed scored a couple of sparkling half-centuries, but he also needs support from the other end.

Average first innings score: 194 (10 matches in LPL 2020)

Record of chasing teams: Won- 3 | Lost- 6 |Tie- 1

Broadcast Details

Match timings – 08:00 PM local time, 08:00 PM IST

TV – Sony SIX

Live Streaming – Sony LIV

The prediction is for the team, batting second to win the match.

Disclaimer: This prediction is based on the understanding, analysis, and instinct of the author. While making your prediction, consider the points mentioned, and make your own decision.