Dambulla Giants vs Jaffna Kings, LPL 2021, Today Match Prediction 21 December 2021

dha vs jsk Match Prediction & Analysis

The Dambulla Giants would be facing a big challenge as they take on the Jaffna Kings in the 2nd Qualifier of the Lanka Premier League 2021. The Giants have been inconsistent in the last few games but come here with a good win against the Colombo Stars. The Kings after doing all the hard work earlier have dipped in form and lost the 1st Qualifier game against the Galle Gladiators, though they were favourites on the cricket betting sites in India.

The two sides had played two games earlier in the tournament and Jaffna Kings registered massive wins in both games. This is likely to play on the minds of the and they would have to get over those losses. The Kings too would like to get over their poor show in the last two games. The stakes are high here for both teams and we expect this game to go down the wire.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Dambulla Giants Preview

Niroshan Dickwella led the side well in absence of Dasun Shanaka as they broke the jinx and knocked the Colombo Stars out of the tournament with a 6-wicket victory in the Eliminator game. They bowled well and chased the total with ease. However, Shanaka would be aware of the poor performances against the Kings earlier and shall look to exploit his opponent's dip in form in the recent games. 

Phillip Salt has been in excellent form, and he would look to set up a good opening wicket stand with Niroshan Dickwella. Janith Liyanage and Najibullah Zadran played well in the last game and the return of Shanaka would strengthen the middle order for the side. They would need runs from the bat of Sachitha Jayathilake, Chamika Karunaratne, and Ramesh Mendis in this must-win game. 

The side would like to see Joshua Little and Nuwan Pradeep bowl tight spells with the new ball as they did in the last game. Imran Tahir has brought his experience to play and the same would be expected from him. Sachitha Jayathilake must bowl good spells in the middle overs along with Chamika Karunaratne to increase the side’s odds of winning this game.

Dambulla Giants Predicted Playing XI:

Dasun Shanaka (c), Philip Salt, Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Janith Liyanage, Najibullah Zadran, Chamika Karunaratne, Ramesh Mendis, Sachitha Jayathilake, Joshua Little, Imran Tahir, Nuwan Pradeep

Dambulla Giants Actual Playing XI:

Niroshan Dickwella, Imran Tahir, Marchant de Lange, Ramesh Mendis, Sandun Weerakkody, Janith Liyanage, Lahiru Samarakoon, Phil Salt, Nuwan Pradeep, Najibullah Zadran, Chamika Karunaratne

Jaffna Kings Preview

Thisara Perera would be a worried man. After looking invincible during the league stages the side has lost form in the most crucial phase of the tournament. They have lost the last two games in a row and lost to the Galle Gladiators in the last game by 64 runs. The side had defeated the Dambulla Giants twice during the league stage and Perera would like his players to draw confidence from those wins and perform well here. 

Rahmanullah Gurbaz played well in the last game, and he would like to set up a good opening wicket stand with Avishka Fernando. The middle-order hasn't scored runs in the last few games and the side would like to see runs from Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Shoaib Malik, and Ashen Bandara in this game. Perera, Wanindu Hasaranga, and Chaturanga de Silva have good hitting abilities and they add punch to this line-up. 

Maheesh Theekshana will have to play an important role in being the most consistent performer for the side. He would look to grab early wickets along with Suranga Lakmal, Hasaranga will have to make good use of the conditions and bowl well along with Thisara Perera and Wahab Riaz in the middle overs as the Giant have good hitters of the ball in the side. 

Jaffna Kings Predicted Playing XI:

Thisara Perera (c), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Avishka Fernando, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Shoaib Malik, Ashen Bandara, Wanindu Hasaranga, Chaturanga de Silva, Wahab Riaz, Suranga Lakmal, Maheesh Theekshana

Jaffna Kings Actual Playing XI:

Avishka Fernando, Maheesh Theekshana, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Ashan Randika, Jayden Seales, Chaturanga de Silva, Suranga Lakmal, Shoaib Malik, Thisara Perera, Wanidu Hasaranga, Rahmanullah Gurbaz

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

We would overcast skies over Hambantota on December 21 and there are chances of showers during this game. The wicket is expected to be a good one to bat on as we have seen in the last two games played here. The side batting first would need at least 170 runs on the board in this high-pressure contest.

Venue Details

Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium has been a good venue for batsmen in the past. They have put up a lot of runs on this surface. It is a thankless surface for the fast bowlers who don’t get any assistance from the surface. The track is conducive for spin bowling as the track offers a lot of turn.

Toss: To Bowl

In the two games played so far, we have seen a flat surface that doesn’t change character. Bowling conditions are expected to be best in the 1st innings and batting would become easy as the game progresses. The side winning the toss would have little hesitation in opting to bowl first.