Lanka Premier League 2021: Match 5, Galle Gladiators vs Kandy Warriors, Match Prediction – Who will win today’s match?

The Galle Gladiators will play Kandy Warriors in the fifth league game of the Lanka Premier League 2021 at Colombo’s R.Premadasa Stadium on December 7.

The Gladiators, led by Bhanuka Rajapaksa, opened their account at the earliest, as they clinched the tournament-opener against Jaffna Kings by a convincing 54-run margin.

Continuing his rich vein of from the Abu Dhabi T10 League, Rajapaksa struck a 31-ball 56 alongside the all-round Samit Patel show who scored 42 before scalping three wickets to ensure the Stallions were restricted well short. Patel found able allies in Mohammad Hafeez and Pulina Tharanga, who picked two each in frugal spells, helping their team to a net-run-rate boosting win.

However, in their second rubber, Colombo Stars struck at regular intervals to tie the Gladiators down to an unimposing 116/8, before chasing it down with four wickets and 15 balls to spare. Gladiators, who opted to bat, lost three wickets inside the powerplay and were later dragged from 77/8 to 116 by Isuru Udana’s late charge of 25. The only other performance of note with the bat was Ben Dunk’s 25-ball 38.

While defending the smallish total, Gladiators’ bowlers ran Stars close, as they reduced them to 45/4 at one stage, although chasing below run-a-ball meant Dhanajaya de Silva’s men needed only a couple of partnerships, which they got from their lower-order.

The start for their rivals on December 7, Kandy Warriors, was also not ideal, as they went down by 20 runs against Dambulla Giants in a stiff chase of 190.

The Warriors had to bear the brunt of Phil Salt’s assault, whose quickfire 64 laid the foundation of Giants’ big score. During the chase, the big guns of the top-order perished quickly, leaving too much for the end. Rovman Powell’s 21-ball 42 alongside a few other middle-order contributions took the Warriors close, but was not enough to cross the line.

Match Details

Match – Galle Gladiators vs Kandy Warriors – Match 5

Venue – R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo

Time – 07:30 PM IST

Where to watch live – Sony Six, Sony LIV

Pitch Report

21 of the 46 wickets that have fell in the three games combined have gone to the pacers, highlighting that all fun is not meant for the spinners. Expect a moderate to high-scoring encounter on a track with a fair bit of assistance for both pacers and spinners.

Average first innings score: 156 (in LPL 2021 so far)

Record of chasing teams: Won – 2, Lost – 2, N/R – 0

Probable Playing XIs

Galle Gladiators 

Danushka Gunathilaka, Kusal Mendis, Mohammad Hafeez, Ben Dunk (wk), Bhanuka Rajapaksa (c), Samit Patel, Lahiru Madushanka, Isuru Udana, Pulina Tharanga, Noor Ahmad, Nuwan Thushara

Kandy Warriors

Kennar Lewis, Devon Thomas (wk), Charith Asalanka, Angelo Perera (c), Kamindu Mendis, Rovman Powell, Asela Gunaratne, Ishan Jayaratne, Sachindu Colombage, Lahiru Kumara

Probable Top Performers

Bhanuka Rajapaksa scored 249 from nine games with Chennai Braves in the recently-concluded T10 League, striking at 193. He struck a belligerent half-century against Kings but missed out against Stars. 

Kennar Lewis scored 197 runs in 10 innings at a strike rate of 195 with the Northern Warriors in the T10 League, providing them flying starts up the order. He fell cheaply (17 off 10) against Giants, but expect him to fire at the top.

Today’s match prediction: Galle Gladiators 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.