Nidahas Trophy 2018, Sri Lanka vs India, Match 4 Preview: Final berth up for grabs

For Dinesh Chandimal, the encounter against Bangladesh would have certainly been a taxing one. With the Bangladeshi side led by the charismatic Mushfiqur Rahim chasing down an improbable 215, the tournament is rather evenly poised. Had the Tigers not chased down the target, it would have been the Lankans in the final of a tournament commemorating the 70th year of their independence. However, a loss for the Lankans has thrown the tournament wide open.

As far as Rohit Sharma and Team India is concerned, the win against Mahmudullah’s men a few nights back kept their hopes of a final qualification alive. Shikhar Dhawan’s effervescence is something that has been a highlight of India’s performances in recent times in the limited-overs’ format in recent times. In addition to this, the Indian bowling unit came to the forefront with some stupendous bowling performances, something that ensured that it was indeed an all-round performance.

The wicket is expected to offer some turn as opposed to the belter the Lankans were treated to the previous encounter. This would mean wholesale changes for both sides in the bowling department although the Indians seemingly do have the firepower to counter any condition or surface they play on.

Toss: India won the toss and elected to field

Sri Lanka (Playing XI): Danushka Gunathilaka, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera(w), Upul Tharanga, Dasun Shanaka, Thisara Perera(c), Jeevan Mendis, Akila Dananjaya, Nuwan Pradeep, Suranga Lakmal, Dushmantha Chameera

India (Playing XI): Rohit Sharma(c), Shikhar Dhawan, Suresh Raina, Lokesh Rahul, Manish Pandey, Dinesh Karthik(w), Vijay Shankar, Washington Sundar, Jaydev Unadkat, Shardul Thakur, Yuzvendra Chahal

Rohit Sharma: We are going to field first. There has been some rain around and we wanted to have a score in front of us. We have seen in this tournament that the wicket seems to get better. It was a high-scoring game (Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh) and that proves wicket will get better. We have done that well. Another opportunity for us to showcase our talent. We spoke at length (about plans against Sri Lankan bowlers), we have understood their strength and weaknesses. Hopefully, we can execute today. One change for us. KL Rahul comes in place of Rishab Pant.

Thisara Perera: It looks like a good batting track. We would like to put runs on the board. Our batters are doing well, our bowlers couldn’t execute plans. We have learnt our mistakes. Normally, we are a good bowling line-up, hopefully, we can do some change. One change for us, Suranga Lakmal is in for Dinesh Chandimal.

Playing Combination

Sri Lanka

The Lankans come into this one on the back of some brilliant performances with the bat. Especially, the Kusals – Mendis and Perera have been quite impressive to, say the least. While Mendis seems to be growing with each encounter with the bat and adding stability to the batting lineup, Kusal Perera employs brute force, something the bowlers of both sides do not expect. Upul Tharanga’s return to the XI will shore up the middle-order while Dinesh Chandimal will certainly be the one expected to pull the stings and anchor the innings.

The Sri Lankan bowling attack was ripped to complete shred by Bangladesh in the previous encounter, something that they surely least expected. While most bowlers were taken apart conceding in excess of 10-runs and over, Thisara Perera was impressive with the ball as he picked two wickets, something that ensured that the match did indeed go into the final over. Isuru Udana is expected to make a comeback into the side ahead of Nuwan Pradeep.

India

Although the Indians did indeed secure a victory against Bangladesh, thus maintaining their 100 percent record, Rohit Sharma will be hoping that his side does indeed replicate the performance with a follow-up victory, something that will spur them into the final. Rishabh Pant, the much-touted wicketkeeper-batsman has been off with the bat in recent times. His failure once again to perform against Bangladesh now sees him on a sticky wicket.

Perhaps, it would ensure that Deepak Hooda gets his much-awaited call to arms. The bowling unit finally clicked for the Indians as they now are not expected to make any changes to the side in the grand scheme of things.

Head to Head

Played – 15 India – 10 Sri Lanka – 5

Focus will be on

Kusal Perera

The perfect example of a modern-day T20 batsman cannot be any further than Kusal Perera. The southpaw began the Nidahas Trophy with some stupendous batting, something that ensured that the bowlers do take notice of him. Against the Bangladeshi side, Perera once again made fireworks with the bat, something that makes him a ‘hitman’ of sorts for the bowlers.

Vijay Shankar

The comparisons with Hardik Pandya have done little to ensure that the 26-year old feels pressure on the biggest stage. A couple of scalps and some economical bowling against Bangladesh ensured that Vijay Shankar made his presence felt and cemented his place in the Indian side, in the context of the Nidahas Trophy to say the least.

StatAttack

Sri Lanka’s win in the last game was their first win in eight T20Is against India. India won seven T20Is in a row against SL before that defeat.

Match Timing: 7:00 PM IST

TV: D Sport

Online: YuppTV

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