Former India player turned veteran commentator Aakash Chopra feels India are strong favourites heading into their 2023 World Cup league-phase clash against Sri Lanka. The two sides will take on each other at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Thursday, November 2 as well.
In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Chopra said: “If we do man-to-man marking, check the last few matches, or see any other way, if we talk about ODI cricket, you will find that the scales are heavily tilted towards India. There is no contest at all. There is no parity between the two sides.”
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He further added: “Sri Lanka are coming after losing the last match to Afghanistan. Sri Lanka were stopped in their tracks. Your hopes increased slightly when you defeated England but then when you lose to Afghanistan, you come to know that the Colombo tickets have already been booked, only the boarding pass and web check-in are left.”
However, Team India have won six matches so far in the ongoing World Cup and they are virtually assured of a semi-final berth as well. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, have won only two games as well.
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“I don’t see any change. I feel India will play with the same XI that played the last match. Three fast bowlers – Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, and alongside them Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja. India’s XI looks settled to me. When I look towards Sri Lanka, there are quite a few problems. They will have to score runs. Pathum Nissanka has been brilliant throughout although he missed a half-century in the last match. Kusal Mendis’ form has gone down a little. Angelo Mathews is back in the team, he has done slightly well,” Aakash Chopra concluded.
