After winning consecutive matches in the group stages of Asia Cup 2022, Team India faced their maiden loss of this season, against their arch-rivals Pakistan in a close game. Pakistan won the game by 5 wickets to avenge their previous defeat. Sri Lanka is coming off a win against Afghanistan by 4 wickets.
India’s bowling and sloppy fielding were the crucial reasons behind their defeat in the game against Pakistan. Their batters did well, but their bowlers were unable to take control of the flow of runs in the middle over. Sri Lanka’s batting has been their main strength so far. In the game they defeated Afghanistan, and their batters came out all guns blazing.
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The Lankans will be hoping to improve their bowling as the tournament progresses. It will be a do-or-die game for the men in blue after losing their first Super 4 game, while Sri Lanka would be hoping to continue their momentum of a good run. It promises to be a cracking contest here.
Sri Lanka
Dilshan Madushanka came out to bowl pretty later in the powerplay in the game against Afghanistan. But the Indian top-order’s struggle against left-arm pace in recent times could urge the Lankan skipper to introduce the 21-year-old quite early. Left-arm spinners have also done well against India, which could prompt the inclusion of Praveen Jayawickrama.
Probable XI: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Charith Asalanka, Danushka Gunathilaka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dasun Shanaka (c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana/Praveen Jayawickrama, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka.
India
Avesh Khan was rested from the eleven against Pakistan after a bout of illness. He is likely to be available for the game against Sri Lanka. India could look to include R Ashwin in the eleven considering the presence of several southpaws in the Sri Lankan line-up. The veteran spinner has also fared quite well against Sri Lanka in the past – 9 matches, 13 wickets, with an economy of 4.91.
Probable XI: Rohit Sharma (c), KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (wk), Hardik Pandya, R Ashwin, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Avesh Khan, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh.
Fantasy XI Suggestion 1:
Kusal Mendis, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Danushka Gunathilaka, Hardik Pandya (c), Wanindu Hasaranga de Silva (vc), Chamika Karunaratne, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Arshdeep Singh, Maheesh Theekshana
Fantasy XI Suggestion 2:
Rohit Sharma, Kusal Mendis (vc), Suryakumar Yadav (c), Virat Kohli, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Hardik Pandya, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Arshdeep Singh, Ravi Bishnoi
