Colombo Stars vs Kandy Warriors, LPL 2021, Today Match Prediction 17 December 2021

cls vs kdf Match Prediction & Analysis

The 20th and final group game of the Lanka Premier League 2021 would be an interesting contest. The Colombo Stars and the Kandy Warriors are currently 4th and 5th on the points table and the winner of this contest would make it to the playoffs. The Stars suffered a big defeat in the last game against Jaffna Kings. The Warriors on the other hand kept their hopes alive with a win against the Dambulla Giants. 

It is a winner takes it all contest here as the Colombo Stars have a poor run rate. A loss in this game would see the Kandy Warriors going ahead into the playoffs thanks to a better net run rate. Given the stakes involved in this contest, we expect it to go down the wire as neither side would like to put a wrong foot forward. 

TEAMS PREVIEW

Colombo Stars Preview

It was a terrible performance from Angelo Matthew’s side against the Jaffna Kings in the last game. They bowled poorly and were at sea in the run chase losing the game by 102 runs. The side would look for a better show here and Matthew would want his players to take inspiration from the previous win against the Warriors.  

The side would like to see a good start in this game from Matthews and Dhananjaya de Silva. Tom Banton has done well for them in the middle order and shall look to set up partnerships with Ashan Priyanjan and Kusal Perara. In Dinesh Chandimal and Seekkuge Prasanna the side has finishers in good form and this adds solidity to this batting line-up. 

It was a poor show with the ball from the side in the last game and they would look for early wickets from Ashan Priyanjan and Seekkuge Prasanna as the Warriors have struggled with the bat. Dushmantha Chameera will have an important role to play in the middle overs with Ravi Rampaul and Naveen-ul-Haq who bring in a good amount of experience to this attack.

Colombo Stars Predicted Playing XI:

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

Colombo Stars Actual Playing XI:

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

Kandy Warriors Preview

The Warriors have had a poor tournament, but they have kept their hopes alive with the 6-wicket win against the Dambulla Giants. It was a good effort by the side with the ball where they restricted the Giants to a small total and chased it down successfully. Angelo Perera would like to see a similar show from his side in this game and make it to the next round. 

Openers Kennar Lewis and Charith Asalanka would be expected to offer a good start to the side in this game. Ravi Bopara played a good knock in the last game and the side would like to see a similar show from him. Minod Bhanuka and Kamindu Mendis must set up partnerships in the middle order. Perera and Al-Amin Hossain shall look to deliver quick runs down the order.

Nimesh Vimukthi and Binura Fernando bowled exceedingly well in the last game and the side would look for similar efforts from them. Al-Amin Hossain made a strong comeback, and he would be high on confidence here. The side would also like to see tight spells from Shiraz Ahmed and Kamindu Mendis in this game.

Kandy Warriors Predicted Playing XI:

Angelo Perera (c), Kennar Lewis, Charith Asalanka, Al-Amin Hossain, Kamindu Mendis, Ravi Bopara, Minod Bhanuka (wk), Asela Gunaratne, Nimesh Vimukthi, Binura Fernando, Shiraz Ahmed

Kandy Warriors Actual Playing XI:

Al-Amin Hossain, Kamindu Mendis, Minod Bhanuka, Ravi Bopara, Kennar Lewis, Shiraz Ahmed, Charith Asalanka, Sachindu Colombage, Angelo Perera, Asela Gunaratne, Nimesh Vimukthi

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

We would see thick clouds over Colombo on December 17 and there are chances of rain interruptions during the game. The wicket has been a good one to bat on, but the weather conditions are likely to offer some assistance to the bowlers. The side batting first would aim at a total of more than 160 runs here.

Venue Details

R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo has been a good hunting ground for the batsmen, and they enjoy the true bounce and pace on the surface coupled with the fast outfield. Spinners do well at this venue as the wicket offers them lots of assistance. Fast bowlers have to make use of their variations as the wicket has little on offer.

Toss: To Bowl

Most teams in the tournament have preferred to bowl in the evening games as the bowling conditions get difficult as the game progresses. In the event of rain curtailment, the side chasing the score would have an advantage. The side winning the toss here is most likely to opt for bowling first in this game.