Kandy Tuskers vs Colombo Kings, Lanka Premier League 2020, Today Match Prediction 05 Dec 2020

kdt vs clk Match Prediction & Analysis

It is the 13th game in the Lanka Premier League 2020 and the points table has already started taking shape. In this context this game between the Kandy Tuskers and Colombo Kings would be very important. Tuskers have been in poor form and lost to Dambulla Viiking in the last game and need to do well here.  Colombo Kings come here with a confidence boosting win over table toppers Jaffna Stallions. 

Kandy Tuskers have a big challenge at their hands going into this game. Not only will they have to win this game to move up on the points table but they are also up against a side that is destroying opponents’ bowling attacks. Colombo Kings would look to carry on with their form and momentum and move up to the top of the points table with a win in this game

TEAMS PREVIEW

Kandy Tuskers Preview

Kusal Perera seems to have no clue on how to get his side out of the mess they are in at the moment. They succumbed to pressure in the last game going down against the Dambulla Viiking by 5 wickets in what was another narrow loss for the side. With the kind of strength that the Colombo Kings have, the side would need to come up with a special effort to win this game. 

Batting has been good for the side and openers Perera and Rahmanullah Gurbaz have done well. The side would be looking at them to offer a good start here. Middle order looks formidable with Kusal Mendis, Brendan Taylor and Seekkuge Prasanna in the team. Asela Gunaratne and Kamindu Mendis with their hitting abilities make it a good batting line-up. 

It is their bowling attack that has been a thorn in the flesh for the side and letting it down. Most of their bowlers have been inconsistent. New ball bowlers Munaf Patel and Dilruwan Perera did well in the last game and the side would be expecting a good start from them here. Gunaratne has been tight in most games so far. But it is the form of Naveen-ul-Haq, Nuwan Pradeep and Prasanna that is hurting the side and they will need to come up with better performances against a strong team. 

Kandy Tuskers Predicted Playing XI:

Kusal Perera (c & wk), Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Kusal Mendis, Brendan Taylor, Kamindu Mendis, Asela Gunaratne, Seekkuge Prasanna, Dilruwan Perera, Nuwan Pradeep, Naveen-ul-Haq, Munaf Patel

Kandy Tuskers Actual Playing XI:

BRM Taylor, Munaf Patel, Dilruwan Perera, Kusal Perera, Vishwa Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Lasith Embuldeniya, Irfan Pathan, Asela Gunaratne, Nuwan Pradeep, Rahmanullah Gurbaz

Colombo Kings Preview

Angelo Mathews would be happy with the performances his side put up against the table toppers Jaffna Stallions. In a game that saw the best competition so far his side won by 6 wickets in the final over. Mathews would know the poor form his opponents are going though and shall look to pile on their agony with a win here. 

Dinesh Chandimal played a match winning knock in the last game and he will look to lay a strong platform opening with in-form Laurie Evans. Andre Russell and Mathews are also in great form at the moment and solidify the middle order. In Thikshila de Silva, Isuru Udana and Qais Ahmed, the side has good hitters of the ball to follow. 

Mathews and Dushmantha Chameera bowled excellent spells in the last game with the new ball and the side would hope to see something similar from them here. Udana hasn’t done well with the ball so far shall be aiming tighter lines here. Tharindu Kaushal, Ahmed and Russell add good balance to this attack.

Colombo Kings Predicted Playing XI:

Angelo Mathews (c), Dinesh Chandimal (wk), Laurie Evans, Thikshila de Silva, Daniel Bell-Drummond, Andre Russell, Ashan Priyanjan, Isuru Udana, Qais Ahmad, Dushmantha Chameera, Tharindu Kaushal

Colombo Kings Actual Playing XI:

Isuru Udana, Angelo Mathews, Ashan Priyanjan, PHT Kaushal, Andre Russell, Daniel Bell-Drummond, Dushmantha Chameera, Laurie Evans, Dinesh Chandimal, Thikshila de Silva, Qais Ahmad

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

The skies over Hambantota would be mostly clear on December 06 and the conditions would be warm in the evening. As far as the pitch is concerned we have seen little support for the bowlers. Batsmen have been able to play their strokes freely. Any score less than 180 can be chased easily and this is something the side batting first would have to bear in mind.

Venue Details

Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium, Hambantota has a flat pitch and a fast outfield that has been aiding the batsmen. They can easily play their strokes with the ball coming onto the bat nicely. It is one of the toughest tracks to bowl on for the fast bowlers but spinners have enjoyed better rewards here as the odd ball can turn and surprise the batsmen.

Toss: To Bat

In most of the games played so far at this venue the side batting first has gone on to win games. Though the pitch doesn’t change much in character in the second innings batting first allows the side to be in charge of the game. Thus the side winning the toss is likely to bat first here.