Lanka Premier League 2021: Match 12, Jaffna Kings vs Kandy Warriors, Match Prediction – Who will win today’s match?

Preview

Jaffna Kings will battle it out with Kandy Warriors in match 12 of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2021. The encounter takes place at the R.Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Sunday (December 12). Both sides have had entirely different campaigns this season which makes the firm favourites for this fixture.

With three wins in four games, the Bhanuka Rajapaksa-led side is leading the team standings and they won’t mind adding two more points to their tally. A win in the upcoming contest will also bring them close to a spot in the next stage. On the other hand, the Warriors are reeling at the rock-bottom of the points table, having lost all their three fixtures so far. Hence, one more defeat could see them getting knocked out of the competition.

Match Details

Match – Jaffna Kings vs Kandy Warriors – Match 12

Venue – R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo

Time – 03:00 PM IST

Where to watch live – Sony Sports Network, Sony LIV

Pitch report

The Colombo track has favoured the batters this season as the lowest first-innings score in the last four encounters has been 159 by Dambulla Giants. The other three scores are 195, 181 and 207 – which were defended successfully. The conditions for batting have improved quite clearly.

Average score: 162 (in LPL 2021 games so far)

Record of chasing teams: Won – 3, Lost – 5, N/R – 1

Probable Playing XIs

Jaffna Kings

Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Avishka Fernando, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Ashen Bandara, Shoaib Malik, Thisara Perera (c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Chaturanga de Silva, Wahab Riaz, Suranga Lakmal, Maheesh Theekshana

Bench: Upul Tharanga, Jayden Seales, Shammu Ashan, Praveen Jayawickrama, Usman Shinwari, Krishan Arachchige, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, Theivendiram Dinoshan, Chamika Gunasekara, Ashan Randika, Rathnaraja Thanuradan

Kandy Warriors

Kennar Lewis, Minod Bhanuka (wk), Charith Asalanka, Kamindu Mendis, Angelo Perera (c), Rovman Powell, TM Sampath, Nimesh Vimukthi, Sachindu Colombage, Al-Amin Hossain, Shiraz Ahmed

Bench: Ahmed Shehzad, Ishan Jayaratne, Lahiru Kumara, Binura Fernando, Cameron Delport, Asela Gunaratne, Kamil Mishara, Shashika Dulshan, Kalhara Senarathne, Ayana Siriwardhana, Devon Thomas, Mohammad Irfan, Milinda Siriwardana

Probable top performers

Tom Kohler-Cadmore – Jaffna Kings

The dashing opener has been on a roll lately and the Warriors bowlers must beware of him. Tom Kohler-Cadmore likes to attack bowlers from his outset and his wide range of shots makes him an even greater asset. He has slammed 109 runs in this tournament so far with his strike rate being 147.29.

Maheesh Theekshana- Jaffna Kings

Maheesh Theekshana is likely to top the bowling charts as the young off-spinner has hardly put a foot wrong in this competition. As far as his numbers are concerned, he has scalped eight wickets in four outings in LPL 2021 so far, most for any bowler. Notably, his economy rate has been below six.

Today’s match prediction: Jaffna Kings 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.