India vs Sri Lanka, IND vs SL, Today Match Prediction 07 January 2023

ind vs sl Match Prediction & Analysis

India’s deep batting lineup meant in spite of losing early wickets in the powerplay, the chase still went deep and down to the wire. 

Suryakumar Yadav and Axar Patel have given India a ray of hope for the future of the T20I side. In the first game, it was Hooda who led the charge and this time it was the consistent Patel.

Sri Lanka, the Asian Champions, have truly come alive in this series and played like champions. They almost won the first T20I and dominated in the second handing India an 18-run defeat.

The new-ball bowlers have been exceptional and will be key in the final match in Rajkot. Since there is not much on offer for the bowlers on this pitch, it is only with the new ball, the visitors can expect to make a few inroads.

The likes of SKY, Shanaka, Hooda, and Mendis will enjoy batting at this venue for it is said to be one of the best batting surfaces in India.

TEAMS PREVIEW

India Preview

India must have taken notes from their batting collapse in the powerplay while chasing a big target in Pune. Not that it was too big for India’s batting strength, but the lack of execution from the top order against a swinging ball put them on the back foot.

Though a brilliant partnership between Axar Patel and Suryakumar Yadav got India back on track to victory, they did not have many resources left for the pair to take risks at the death.

Rahul Tripathi who made his debut in T20Is started off well with a couple of boundaries. He can be given another chance as the Rajkot offers another belter of a pitch for batting.

At the moment, India’s strength in this lineup lies in the lower-middle order with Hardik, Hooda, and Axar Patel. Surya in the middle has been phenomenal and will once again be a key player to watch out for.

Patel can be the new finisher for India and that can allow Pandya to experiment with his own batting position. Nevertheless, with Tripathi at 3, India can expect him to pace the innings with some of his best shots in the middle. 

The right-handed batsman has all shots in his bag and can strike the ball at an impressive rate. Yuzvendra Chahal has found success on this ground and can make an impact with his leg spin.

And since it’s not a great surface for the bowlers, Mavi must watch out as soon after his remarkable debut, he went for a lot of runs in Pune.

India Predicted Playing XI:

Ishan Kishan (wk), Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav, Rahul Tripathi, Hardik Pandya (c), Deepak Hooda, Axar Patel, Shivam Mavi, Umran Malik, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal

India Actual Playing XI:

Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, YS Chahal, Shivam Mavi, Hardik Pandya, Shubman Gill, Arshdeep Singh, Rahul Tripathi, Deepak Hooda, Umran Malik, Axar Patel

Sri Lanka Preview

Sri Lanka have come out as champions in this series continuing their dominance against the men in blue from their last encounter against India in the Asia Cup.

The pacers were right on the money as they began their defence of a 200+ total in Pune on a surface that is great for batting. There was even due on the ground later in the innings that could have worked India’s way.

Yet, Dasun Shanaka and co. managed to stay on top of the game and finish with an 18-run win. The bowlers will be up for a challenge on another batting-friendly track in Rajkot.

And hence, a lot depends on how Sri Lankan batters perform. Rajapaksa and Dhananjaya de Silva have been struggling to score runs.

Though their positions in the batting order were changed in the last game, they remain a crucial part of the lineup. And contributions from them are a must if Sri Lanka is to win the decider match of this series.

Shanaka can’t always come to the rescue and Sri Lanka need some other players to step up and finish the job. Rajapaksa can hit the long ball and push the run rate high at number 3 while Charith Asalanka has the ability to build partnerships and take the game deep.

Mendis looked in fine touch in the last game with his quick fifty. Nissanka will be hoping to improve his strike rate in this game. Rajitha, Karunaratne, and Wanindu Hasaranga will be the key bowlers in the Sri Lankan side to watch out for.

Sri Lanka Predicted Playing XI:

Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dasun Shanaka (c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Kasun Rajitha, Dilshan Madushanka

Sri Lanka Actual Playing XI:

Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Dhananjaya de Silva, Kasun Rajitha, Maheesh Theekshana, Dasun Shanaka, Charith Asalanka, Kusal Mendis, Wanidu Hasaranga, Dilshan Madushanka, Chamika Karunaratne

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

It is one of the best batting pitches in India and we can expect a run-fest with these two teams who bring in a lot of batting firepower in their lineups. The weather will be mostly sunny with a high of 32 degrees Celsius.

Venue Details

This venue has seen triple hundreds from Jadeja and Pujara in Ranji Trophy matches. The average 1st innings score in T20Is here is 179 and 169 runs in domestic T20s. Anything below 185 will not be a safe total for the team batting first at this venue.

Toss: To Bowl

There have been only 4 T20Is at this venue of which teams batting first won 2. In the 10 domestic T20s, teams batting second have won 6 matches. Sri Lanka will not risk defending again knowing India’s strength and depth in the batting. India has what it takes to chase down competitive totals and Pandya is likely to opt to bowl first.