Sri Lanka v India, 3rd Test - Sri Lanka Predicted XI

After facing two embarrassing defeats, the hosts Sri Lanka have nothing but pride to play for in the third and final Test against India. The Indian side has been thoroughly dominating the proceedings in the series thus far. Not only have they managed to get the end result in their favor, but also ensured that they have outplayed the Sri Lankan side big time.

Two massive wins have come their way and they are all set for the third game. It comes as no surprise to see that they will be the firm favorites going into the game. The Indian team has the liberty of fielding their bench strength in the game. On the other hand, Sri Lanka would want to put their best foot forward in the game. They have to pull off a win in this game to give their fans something to cheer about.

The hosts have already been plagued by injuries. Two of their premier pacers – Nuwan Pradeep and Suranga Lakmal – missed the previous game due to injuries. After the second Test, Rangana Herath has also been ruled out of the fixture. Amidst this situation, it will be interesting to see who they field in their playing eleven.

Here is the Sri Lanka Predicted XI for the third Test:

Openers (Upul Tharanga, Dimuth Karunaratne)

Sri Lankan openers have failed to give their side a good start in the series thus far. This has been one of the primary reasons for their failure in the first two games. Upul Tharanga, the senior most member of the team has scored only 76 runs in the four opportunities that he has got thus far. He averages only 19 with the bat in the series.

On the other hand, Dimuth Karunaratne was having a rough run too pretty much until the last game. In the previous game, he showed great resilience and spirit to help Sri Lanka survive a little longer in the Test with his fighting century. The two are likely to open the innings for the hosts in the final game too.

Middle order (Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Lahiru Thirimanne)

In the middle order, the hosts have received a positive news of sorts with Kusal Mendis coming in good form. Mendis scored a quick ton in the second innings of the second Test game. However, he needs to find consistency when it comes to the longer format. This is something that he has been lacking in the last year or so. The other members of the middle order are yet to make a name.

Skipper Dinesh Chandimal threw away his wicket in both the innings of the second Test. Angelo Mathews showed some fight but was never enough for the hosts to survive the mighty Indian bowling attack. Both the senior men need to step up to the occasion. Lahiru Thirimanne has to make his presence felt. If he fails to do so, he might end up being the scapegoat of this middle order failure.

Wicket-keeper (Niroshan Dickwella)

Wicket-keeper Niroshan Dickwella has shown form in some spells during the series. His wicket-keeping has been decent and that certainly has not been under the scanner. With the bat, he has executed the sweep shots well against the Indian spinners. A timely fifty in the first innings of the second Test would have surely given some confidence to Dickwella.

Spinners (Dilruwan Perera, Lakshan Sandakan)

Dilruwan Perera has been one of the key finds for Sri Lanka in the last couple of years. He looked good with the bat in the first Test but failed to leave an imprint in the second. In the previous game, where the Indian spinners ruled the roost, Diiruwan found it very hard to make his ball do the talk.

He is most likely to be joined in by Lakshan Sandakan. It was surprising to see Malinda Pushpkumara being drafted ahead of Sandakan in the playing eleven in the previous game. Now, it is very certain that Pushpkumara will make way for Sandakan in the lineup.

Fast Bowlers (Lahiru Kumara, Dushmantha Chameera)

Promising young fast bowler Dushmantha Chameera has been added to the Sri Lanka squad for the final Test. It is very obvious that the Lankans will make him play the game. Chameera has the ability to bowl fast on a consistent basis.

He will be partnered by Lahiru Kumara as the other pacer in the lineup. Kumara had a very good start to his international career in South Africa earlier this year. However, he has only been a shadow of himself since then in the limited opportunities that he has got.