GAL vs JAF Match Prediction – Who will win today’s match? LPL 2020, Match 9

Galle Gladiators and the Jaffna Stallions have had completely contrasting fortunes in the 2020 edition of the Lanka Premier League. Both teams have played three games each, but while the Stallions are unbeaten, the Gladiators are yet to open their account in the tournament.

The Stallions, after their 54-run win over Kandy Tuskers, are sitting pretty on top of the table with six points. The Gladiators, on the other hand, are the cellar dwellers after losing to the Tuskers by 25 runs. Their net run rate of -1.450 means that they have gotten most things wrong in the tournament.

Neither has their batting delivered nor has their bowling been able to bear the brunt of the opposition. Another loss will put a lot of pressure on them going forward in the tournament.

Pitch and Conditions

The pitch at the Mahinda Rajapaksha Stadium in Hambantota has been a bowler’s graveyard thus far. Teams batting first have put on colossal scores and put pressure on the chasing sides.

There will be a five per cent chance of rain during game time. The temperature will be around the 31 degrees Celsius mark with the humidity mostly in the 60s. There would be a fair amount of cloud cover.

Playing Combinations for GAL vs JAF

Galle Gladiators

Probable XI

Danushka Gunathilaka, Hazratullah Zazai, Bhanuka Rajapaksha, Azam Khan, Shehan Jayasuriya, Chadwick Walton, Milinda Siriwardana, Mohammad Amir, Akila Dananjaya, Mohamed Shiraz, Lakshan Sandakan

Bench– Chanaka Ruwansiri, Sahan Arachchige, Duvindu Tilakaratne, Waqas Maqsood, Nuwan Thushara, Asitha Fernando, Dhananjaya Lakshan

Jaffna Stallions

Probable XI

Avishka Fernando, Shoaib Malik, Tom Moores (WK), Minod Bhanuka, Thisara Perera, Dhananjaya de Silva, Chaturanga de Silva, Wanindu Hasaranga, Usman Shinwari, Duanne Olivier, Suranga Lakmal

Bench– Nuwaindu Fernando, Theivendiram Dinoshan, Maheesh Theekshana, Kanagarathinam Kabilraj, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, Prabath Jayasuriya, Charith Asalanka, Kyle Abbott, Binura Fernando

Probable Top Performers for GAL vs JAF

Danushka Gunathilaka– Galle Gladiators

Danushka Gunathilaka, by far, has been the standout performer for the Gladiators in the LPL. In three matches, he has scored 150 runs at an average and strike-rate of 75 and 153.06.

He has a top score of 82, which came in a losing cause against the Tuskers. He can’t afford to drop his guard by any means. Moreover, he also needs support from the other end that he has been lacking badly.

Thisara Perera– Jaffna Stallions

For the Stallions, Thisara Perera has been the standout performer by a country mile. He already has a couple of half-centuries with a top score of an unbeaten 97 and has looked ominous than ever.

He has an average and strike-rate of 165 and 229.16 respectively. With the ball, he hasn’t done badly either, having picked five wickets at an economy of 6.76. Perera has captained from the front.

Average first innings score: 202 (8 matches in LPL 2020)

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

Broadcast Details

Match timings – 03:30 PM local time, 03:30 PM IST

TV – Sony SIX

Live Streaming – Sony LIV

The prediction is for Jaffna Stallions 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.