Colombo Stars vs Galle Gladiators, LPL 2022, Today Match Prediction 21 December 2022

cls vs ggd Match Prediction & Analysis

It hasn’t been a good season for either of the teams facing off in this Eliminator match of LPL 2022. The two-time finalists Galle Gladiators have made it to the playoffs in spite of losing 6 of their 8 games.

It was a slightly better NRR that sealed the Eliminator spot for the Gladiators this year. The skipper will be hoping to put an end to their batting woes in an all-important game like this.

Colombo Stars haven’t been any better. Though they have one more game than Galle Gladiators, their batting has been poor of late. Their worst batting performances have come in Colombo at this same venue. 

The experienced all-rounders in the lower order such as Bopara, Nabi, and Benny Howell haven’t made much of an impact. The frequent collapses at the top have meant no platform for these all-rounders to build on.

Kusal Mendis, Asad Shafiq, Nuwanidu Fernando, and Iftikhar Ahmed hold the key to a comeback for Galle Gladiators.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Colombo Stars Preview

Benny Howell and Ravi Bopara played match-winning knocks in the lower order the last time Colombo Stars met Galle Gladiators. A perfect finish from the two all-rounders saw Stars chase down a 194 runs target successfully.

Dinesh Chandimal and Charith Asalanka had got the Stars off to a brilliant start earlier in the game. Since then, the batting performance has been on the decline. Opener and wicket-keeper Niroshan Dickwella was out for a duck in his last two innings.

Colombo Stars were 5 wickets down for 53 and 44 runs in the last two games respectively. Unless the top order makes a comeback, it will be a tough outing for the Stars. 

Charith Asalanka and Dinesh Chandimal will have a big task at hand in this match. These two have made significant contributions in the past and need to repeat the same here.

Kasun Rajitha, Jeffrey Vandersay, and Mohammad Nabi will be the key bowlers to watch out for. While Bopara and Howell may not have been consistent with the wickets, they have good economies and will be crucial.

Skipper Angelo Matthews didn’t feature in the last game for the Stars. He is the most experienced T20 player in this squad and will be a key player in the Eliminator. 

Colombo Stars Predicted Playing XI:

Dinesh Chandimal, Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Charith Asalanka, Ravi Bopara, Angelo Matthews (c), Mohammad Nabi, Dhananjaya Lakshan, Benny Howell, Dominic Drakes, Jeffrey Vandersay, Kasun Rajitha

Colombo Stars Actual Playing XI:

Ravi Bopara, Nishan Madushka, Angelo Mathews, Benny Howell, Suranga Lakmal, Kasun Rajitha, Dominic Drakes, Mohammad Nabi, Charith Asalanka, Dinesh Chandimal, Jeffrey Vandersay

Galle Gladiators Preview

Of the two games, the Gladiators have won this season, one came against Colombo Stars in Pallekele. Just like their opposition, Gladiators are also struggling with their batting performances. 

In their last encounter against Colombo Stars, the Gladiators posted 193 runs batting first. Since that game, Galle Gladiators have scored 130 all-out, 154-9, and 129-8. 

They have lost twice chasing a total and once batting first at this venue in Colombo. Anything above 170 from the opposition is going to take the game away from Gladiators. 

If they opt to bowl first, Mendis must ensure that his bowlers restrict the Stars below 160 runs. Imad Wasim, Wahab Riaz, and Nuwan Tushara are the key bowlers expected to do the job for the team.

The biggest worry for Mendis at this point is the inconsistency of the top order. He needs the support of Thanuka Dabare, Oshada Fernando, and Asad Shafiq to get his team back to winning ways.

Gladiators have a choice between Iftikhar Ahmed and Azam Khan for the middle order. While both of these players are known for their big-hitting abilities, none of them has delivered an impactful performance lately.

Nuwanindu Fernando is another key player to watch out for in the Gladiators lineup. The 23-year-old batsman has shown great promise and can make an impact in the middle order.

Galle Gladiators Predicted Playing XI:

Thanuka Dabare, Kusal Mendis (c & wk), Lahiru Udara, Asad Shafiq, Nuwanidu Fernando, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Wahab Riaz, Lakshan Sandakan, Nuwan Pradeep, Nuwan Thushara

Galle Gladiators Actual Playing XI:

Imad Wasim, Lakshan Sandakan, Lahiru Udara, Wahab Riaz, Iftikhar Ahmed, Kusal Mendis, Nuwan Thushara, Nuwanidu Fernando, Sahan Arachchige, Asad Shafiq, Nuwan Pradeep

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

The pitch is batting-friendly and has seen batters from Jaffna and Dambulla play their strokes freely in the last couple of games here. The bounce is low and that can be the biggest challenge for batters. While teams have been successful chasing here, it is only when the target is low. The pitch can slow down in the second innings and hence even a 160+ target can be a competitive total on this surface. Scattered thunderstorms are expected on the match day with a high of 28 degrees Celsius.

Venue Details

R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo will host all of the playoff matches including the Final. The average 1st innings score at this venue is 149 runs. Spinners will play a key role at this venue.

Toss: To Bat

Teams batting first have won 14 of the 23 domestic T20 matches played at this venue in Colombo. The batting has been out of form for both teams and they don’t seem to be in a position to chase down a total. Batting first and having runs on the board will be the right choice in a pressure game for both sides.