The stage is set for an exciting contest as India and Sri Lanka gear up for the third T20 International. The two teams will clash at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy on July 30th at 7:00 PM IST, promising a thrilling encounter between two competitive cricketing nations. Team India has already clinched the series, having won both previous games, securing an unassailable 2-0 lead in the 3-match series.
The final T20I on July 30th will be an opportunity for India to complete a clean sweep, while Sri Lanka will aim to salvage some pride. In the first T20I, India registered a comprehensive victory, followed by another win in the second T20I. Bowling first in the second match, India restricted Sri Lanka to 161 runs. Kusal Perera stood out with a score of 53. For India, Ravi Bishnoi took 3 wickets, while Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, and Hardik Pandya each claimed 2 wickets.
Due to rain, India was set a revised target of 78 runs in 8 overs. They chased it down effortlessly in 6.3 overs. Suryakumar Yadav scored a quick 26 off 12 balls, Yashasvi Jaiswal contributed 30 off 15 balls, and Hardik Pandya finished the game with a swift 22 off 9 balls.
ALSO READ: Rohit Sharma Faces Tough Choice Between KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant For First ODI
As the teams prepare for the final T20I, Sri Lanka will be eager to end the series on a high note, while India will aim to maintain their dominance at Pallekele. In the history of ODIs, India and Sri Lanka have faced each other 168 times, with India winning 99 matches, Sri Lanka 57, one tie, and 11 matches ending without a result.
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka faces challenges as key players Matheesha Pathirana and Dilshan Madushanka have been ruled out due to injuries, impacting their preparations for the series.
Probable XI: Charith Asalanka (C), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Nishan Madushka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Dilshan Madushanka, Matheesha Pathirana
India
‘Hitman’ Rohit Sharma returns as India’s captain, and Virat Kohli is also set to play in this highly anticipated match. The series will feature ODI regulars like KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer. Under Gautam Gambhir’s new coaching era, India achieved a clean sweep in the T20I series against Sri Lanka. India aims to continue their winning streak and secure another victory.
Probable XI: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill (vc), Virat Kohli, KL Rahul (wk), Shreyas Iyer, Shivam Dube/Riyan Parag, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Axar Patel, Mohammed Siraj, Harshit Rana.
Fantasy XI Suggestion 1:
Rishabh Pant, Kusal Mendis, Suryakumar Yadav, Yashasvi Jaiswal (vc), Pathum Nissanka, Hardik Pandya (c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana
Fantasy XI Suggestion 2:
Kusal Mendis, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Pathum Nissanka, Hardik Pandya, Wanindu Hasaranga, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana (vc), Ravi Bishnoi
