Kandy Falcons vs Jaffna Kings, LPL 2022, Today Match Prediction 21 December 2022

kdw vs jsk Match Prediction & Analysis

It will be an exciting game in the 1st Qualifier of the Lanka Premier League 2022. The table toppers Kandy Falcons will take on the defending champions, Jaffna Kings. Both sides have excelled in this tournament. The Falcons came here with a win against the Dambulla Aura, while the Kings also did well in the last game as they defeated the Colombo Stars.  

The Kandy Falcons had won the previous game between the two teams, making them confident in this contest. Their bowlers have been in good form, which is great for the side in this phase of the tournament. The Jaffna Kings won't be a pushover, and it will make this contest exciting. 

TEAMS PREVIEW

Kandy Falcons Preview

Wanindu Hasaranga and his men would be high on confidence. They have won seven out of eight games and topped the points table. It was a good show from their players in the last game, where they registered a 39-run win against Dambulla Aura. Hasaranga would like his side to use this momentum and win this game to enter the final.  

Minod Bhanuka and Andre Fletcher have provided good starts to the side, and they will look to do the same in this game. In the middle order, the team would look for runs from Ashen Bandara, Kamindu Mendis, and Carlos Braithwaite. Fabian Allen, Hasaranga and Chamika Karunaratne make it a strong batting line-up down the order.  

Their bowlers have been in good form in this tournament. The side would expect good spells from Zahoor Khan and Chamika Karunaratne as the Jaffna Kings have a strong batting line-up. Hasaranga is an experienced bowler who must do well in the middle overs with Fabian Allen. Isuru Udana, Chamindu Wijesinghe, and Bandara add to the team's bowling options.

Kandy Falcons Predicted Playing XI:

Wanindu Hasaranga (c), Minod Bhanuka (wk), Andre Fletcher, Kamindu Mendis, Ashen Bandara, Carlos Braithwaite, Fabian Allen, Chamika Karunaratne, Chamindu Wijesinghe, Isuru Udana, Zahoor Khan

Kandy Falcons Actual Playing XI:

Kamindu Mendis, Pathum Nissanka, Isuru Udana, Ashen Bandara, Carlos Brathwaite, Fabian Allen, ADS Fletcher, Chamindu Wijesinghe, Wanidu Hasaranga, Najibullah Zadran, Chamika Karunaratne

Jaffna Kings Preview

Thisara Perera's side comes into this game with a massive 8-wicket win against the Colombo Stars. It has been a good campaign for the defending champions, as most of their players have displayed good form. They take on a formidable opponent in this game, and Perera shall expect a strong performance from his players.  

Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Avishka Fernando came here after a 105-run stand in the last game and would look to offer a positive start. The middle order is strong for the team as they have Shoaib Malik, Sadeera Samarawickrama, and Afif Hossain. The side would also expect quick runs from Perera, Dunith Wellalage, and Sumida Lakshan, as these players can strike the ball cleanly.  

Their bowlers will have a tough challenge ahead of them. The experienced pair of Perera and Malik must strike early for the side to be in a commanding position. They will also look for good spells from Zaman Khan, Asitha Fernando, and Praveen Jayawickrama in the middle overs. Lakshan and Wellalage have to do well in the supporting role.

Jaffna Kings Predicted Playing XI:

Thisara Perera (c), Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Avishka Fernando, Afif Hossain, Sadeera Samarawickrama (wk), Shoaib Malik, Suminda Lakshan, Dunith Wellalage, Asitha Fernando, Praveen Jayawickrama, Zaman Khan

Jaffna Kings Actual Playing XI:

Dunith Wellalage, Avishka Fernando, Maheesh Theekshana, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, Binura Fernando, Zaman Khan, Afif Hossain, Shoaib Malik, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Thisara Perera, Rahmanullah Gurbaz

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

There will be some clouds over the skies of Colombo on December 21. The wicket is good for batting, and we have seen a flat track where fast bowlers have struggled and batsmen have found it easy to score runs. The side batting first in the game would need 170 runs on the board to feel safe.

Venue Details

R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, is a large ground, but it has a flat surface, and the outfield here is lightning quick. It makes a good ground for the batsmen, and we have seen big scores here in the past. Fast bowlers have generally struggled at this venue, but we have seen good performances from the spinners as the track offers them turn.

Toss: To Bowl

Sides have found it challenging to defend totals at this venue. Big scores have been chased here, and the dew factor in the evening makes it tough to bowl in the second innings. The side winning the toss here would have no hesitation in opting to bowl first.