Colombo Stars vs Dambulla Giants, LPL 2021, Today Match Prediction

cls vs dhg Match Prediction & Analysis

We are into the playoffs of the Lanka Premier League 2021 and the Colombo Stars would be up against the Dambulla Giants in the Eliminator game. The Stars did well in the last game to register a big win against the Kandy Warriors and have gained momentum. The Dambulla Giants on the other hand went down against the Warriors in their final league game. 

The Colombo Stars lost both their games against the Dambulla Giants during the league stage, and this would be playing on their minds. However, the Giants come into this game looking down in their confidence. Both the sides have good firepower in the batting department and we are likely to see a good contest here.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Colombo Stars Preview

Angelo Mathews’s side made a confident entry into the playoffs with a 58-run win in their last league game against the Kandy Warriors. Their batsmen put up a big score on the board and bowlers went about successfully defending it. They had lost both their league games against Dambulla Giants and Matthews would look to erase those losses and make it to the 2nd Qualifier with a win here. 

Kusal Perera and Ashan Priyanjan would look to provide a good start and the side would like to see a good show from Priyanjan who went without scoring in the last game. The middle order is strong for the side with Dhananjaya de Silva and Dinesh Chandimal in good form and they would look to add runs with Tom Banton. Matthews has scored runs and adds strength to the batting with Keemo Paul. 

Jeffry Vandersay grabbed 6 wickets in the last game a new record for this tournament and he would look to strike early sharing the ball with Dushmantha Chameera. Seekkuge Prasanna has been in excellent form and the side would expect tight spells from him in this game. Naveen-ul-Haq and Priyanjan have to bowl well as the Giants have a very strong batting line-up. 

Colombo Stars Predicted Playing XI:

Angelo Mathews (c), Dhananjaya de Silva, Ashan Priyanjan, Tom Banton, Kusal Perera (wk), Dinesh Chandimal, Keemo Paul, Seekkuge Prasanna, Jeffrey Vandersay, Dushmantha Chameera, Naveen-ul-Haq

Colombo Stars Actual Playing XI:

Naveen-ul-Haq, Pathum Nissanka, Angelo Mathews, Kusal Perera, Dhananjaya de Silva, S Prasanna, Karim Janat, Dushmantha Chameera, Dinesh Chandimal, Tom Banton, Jeffrey Vandersay

Dambulla Giants Preview

It has been three losses in a row for Dasun Shanaka’s side and they would have to come out of this. The side played poorly against the Kandy Warriors in their last game to go down by 6 wickets. They had won both their previous games against the Colombo Stars and the side would look to repeat the same show here. 

Phillip Salt has been in good form and he would look to provide a good start with Niroshan Dickwella in this game. In the middle order, the side would like to see partnerships between Janith Liyanage, Dasun Shanaka, and Najibullah Zadran who missed out in the last game. They bat deep and have good hitters of the ball in Sachitha Jayathilake, Chamika Karunaratne, and Ramesh Mendis. 

Imran Tahir has used his experience well so far and he would aim to grab early wickets in the game. Tharindu Ratnayake and Jayathilake will have to provide good support to Tahir in the early overs as the Stars have done well with the bat in the last few games. Marchant de Lange, Karunaratne, and Mendis add variety to this attack.

Dambulla Giants Predicted Playing XI:

Dasun Shanaka (c), Philip Salt, Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Janith Liyanage, Najibullah Zadran, Ramesh Mendis, Chamika Karunaratne, Tharindu Ratnayake, Sachitha Jayathilake, Imran Tahir, Marchant de Lange

Dambulla Giants Actual Playing XI:

Niroshan Dickwella, Imran Tahir, Joshua Little, Ramesh Mendis, Sandun Weerakkody, Janith Liyanage, Nuwan Pradeep, Phil Salt, Sachitha Jayathilake, Najibullah Zadran, Chamika Karunaratne

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

We would overcast skies over Hambantota on December 19 and the new surface would have something for the bowlers in the early overs of the game. The wicket itself is expected to be flat and batsmen would enjoy the conditions once they get their eyes set in. The side batting first would need 170 runs on the board to feel confident.

Venue Details

Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium, Hambantota is a batting-friendly venue where a placid wicket and a fast outfield allow lots of scoring opportunities for the batsmen. Fast bowlers have a tough time on this track as there is little for them, but spinners have enjoyed a better record here as the track offers turn.

Toss: To Bat

The weather is expected to be tricky, and bowlers are likely to have some advantage on this surface. In the past, more sides have won batting first in the afternoon games at this venue. The side winning the toss isn’t likely to have much hesitation in opting to bat first here.