Lanka Premier League 2021: Match 18, Kandy Warriors vs Dambulla Giants, Match Prediction – Who will win today’s match?

Preview

Dambulla Giants and Kandy Warriors are set to lock horns in Match No.18 of the 2021 LPL at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. The Giants, led by Dasun Shanaka, are currently placed third in the points table with seven points. But they need to take care of their net run rate, which is currently at -1.125.

They will be going into the game on the back of losses at the hands of Jaffna Kings and Galle Gladiators. The Warriors, on the other hand, don’t have much room for complacency. Having lost five out of six games, they are placed at the bottom. In their previous game, Colombo Stars beat them by five wickets.

Match Details

Match – Kandy Warriors vs Dambulla Giants – Match 18

Venue – R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo

Date and Time – 16 December, 02:00 PM GMT / 07:30 PM IST

Where to watch live – Sony Sports Network, Sony LIV

Pitch Report

The pitch in Colombo has been a decent one for batting thus far in the tournament. The team batting first and the chasing teams have tasted success in equal proportion. The sides may opt for both options in the next game.

Average score: 155 (in LPL games so far)

Record of chasing teams: Won – 7, Lost – 8, N/R – 1

Probable Playing XIs

Kandy Warriors

Kennar Lewis, Charith Asalanka, Ahmed Shehzad, Tom Moores (wk), Angelo Perera (c), Kamindu Mendis, Ravi Bopara, Nimesh Vimukthi, Sachindu Colombage, Binura Fernando, Lahiru Kumara

Dambulla Giants

Philip Salt, Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Janith Liyanage, Najibullah Zadran, Dasun Shanaka (c), Ramesh Mendis, Chamika Karunaratne, Tharindu Ratnayake, Sachitha Jayathilake, Imran Tahir, Joshua Little

Head-to-Head

Played – 2 | Kandy Warriors  – 0 | Dambulla Giants– 2 | N/R – 0

Probable best batter of the match

Phil Salt- Dambulla Giants

Phil Salt has been exceptional for the Giants in the ongoing LPL edition. The right-hander batter has smashed 244 runs thus far from seven games at an average of 34.85 and a strike rate of 158.44. Having already scored two half-centuries, Salt has been able to dominate the bowlers of the opposition teams.

Imran Tahir- Dambulla Giants

Imran Tahir has been on top of his game in the ongoing LPL season. The South African spinner is currently the leading wicket-taker for the Giants in the tournament, having scalped 11 wickets. Moreover, the fact that he has bowled at an economy rate of 6.26 shows that he has kept the opposition batters in check.

Today’s match prediction: Dambulla Giants to win the game.

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.