India vs Sri Lanka 3rd T20I, Match Preview

India won the 3-match T20I series by defeating Sri Lanka in a rain-interference game by 7 wickets at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. After losing this must-win game, the Island Nations have already lost the series all they are left with is one match, which will be played tomorrow at the same ground. Heading into this game, Sri Lankan team will definitely try hard to win the last match of the series and avoid whitewash from Men in Blue before going to the ODI series. 

After winning the toss, India decided to bowl first looking at the weather conditions of Pallekele Stadium. Batting first, Sri Lanka scored 161 runs in 20 overs with the help of Kusul Perera and Kamindu Mendis, who scored 53 and 26 runs each when the Lankan Lions were 2 wickets down on the score of 80 runs in 10 overs. These batters formed a crucial partnership of 50 runs and took their team to 130 runs in 15 overs. However, they couldn’t take it from there and lost their wickets in the over of Hardik Pandya. Ravi Bishnoi was the leading wicket-taker from the Indian team by picking 3 wickets in his 4 overs spell with Axar Patel, Hardik Pandya and Arshdeep Singh, picking 2-2 wickets each.

In the second innings, the match was reduced to 8 overs due to rain. Menwhile, the target was calculated through Duck Lewis Method, where Men in Blue was required to chase 78 runs in 8 overs. After falling off the first wicket on the score of 12 runs in the second over of the innings, the left-hand batter Yashasvi Jaiswal and Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav made a crucial partnership of 39 runs for the 2nd wicket, making the Indian team alive in the run-chase. However, after the loss of Yadav’s wicket, Indian team were looking in trouble before Hardik Pandya came and played a match-winning knock of 22 runs in 9 balls by hitting 3 boundaries and 1 maximum on a strike rate of 244.

Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pitch Report

Looking at the last match at this venue, it is visible that the pitch at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium favours batsmen. However, spin can play an important role in the middle overs which we have seen when the duo of Ravi Bishnoi and Axar picked 2-2 wickets each in the last game. Teams batting first typically aim for around 170 runs, which is considered a competitive total at this venue. Despite this, the presence of dew in evening matches often leads teams to prefer chasing, as it can make bowling more challenging later in the game.

Probable playing XI for 3rd T20I

India:

Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Suryakumar Yadav (C), Rishabh Pant (WK), Rinku Singh, Hardik Pandya, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohammed Siraj.

Sri Lanka:

Avishka Fernando, Charith Asalanka (C), Dinesh Chandimal, Kusal Mendis (WK), Pathum Nissanka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dasun Shanaka, Matheesha Pathirana, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, Binura Fernando

Who will win the match between India vs Sri Lanka?

After looking at the last match, Men in Blue chased down a target of 78 runs in 6.3 overs. No doubt! The Indian team are looking stronger for the last game of the series. However, the Sri Lankan team will fight for their pride to avoid the whitewash and go into the ODI series with motivation.