Kandy Warriors vs Dambulla Giants, LPL 2021, Today Match Prediction

kdw vs dhg Match Prediction & Analysis

Kandy Warriors have been in poor form and the side would be playing for pride as it takes on the Dambulla Giants in the 18th game of the Lanka Premier League 2021. The Kandy Warriors would be heartbroken after the 5-wicket loss against the Colombo Stars in the last game. The Dambulla Giants also had a poor outing as they went down against the Galle Gladiators in their last game. 

The Kandy Warriors are nearly out of contention for a place in the next round. The side has tasted victory only once in the six games they have played. They would look to put up a better show here. The Giants would be looking to regain their form here as the tournament enters its most crucial phase. 

TEAMS PREVIEW

Kandy Warriors Preview

It was a heartbreak for Angelo Perera’s side in the last game against the Colombo Stars. They had the game in their bag up until the last two overs only to lose by 5 wickets. This loss has ended all their hopes of making it to the next round. The side would have to play for its pride in this game and Perera shall want his players to come up with a better show in this game. 

Openers Kennar Lewis and Charith Asalanka did well in the last game and the side would like to see a good start from them here. The middle-order has struggled in all the games and the trio of Ahmed Shehzad, Angelo Perera, and Kamindu Mendis shall have to deliver a good show in this game. Down the order, the side would look forward to runs from Ravi Bopara and Tom Moores who have big-hitting abilities. 

Their bowlers did well in the last game only to throw away the game in the final over. The side would expect a good show from Nimesh Vimukthi who did well in the last game. Binura Fernando, Mendis and Sachin Colombage would have a very important role in the middle overs as they have not been able to stop the flow of runs in most games. The side would also expect a few good overs from Perera and Asalanka in this game. 

Kandy Warriors Predicted Playing XI:

Angelo Perera (c), Charith Asalanka, Ahmed Shehzad, Kamindu Mendis, Ravi Bopara, Tom Moores (wk), Minod Bhanuka, Nimesh Vimukthi, Sachindu Colombage, Shiraz Ahmed, Binura Fernando

Kandy Warriors Actual Playing XI:

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

Dambulla Giants Preview

Dasun Shanaka’s side comes into this game with two consecutive losses. They went down by 9 runs against the Galle Gladiators in the last game losing from a position of strength. Shanaka would be aware of the struggle Kandy Warriors have been through in the tournament and look to exploit this opportunity and win from here. 

Phillip Salt has been in brilliant form and he would look to lay a strong platform opening the batting with Niroshan Dickwella. Janith Liyanage played well in the last game and he would aim to set up partnerships with Dasun Shanaka and Najibullah Zadran. In Sachitha Jayathilake, Chamika Karunaratne, and Ramesh Mendis the side has good firepower in the lower middle order. 

Imran Tahir has been at his best and the side would hope to see a good show from him sharing the new ball with Joshua Little in this game. Tharindu Ratnayake has done well, and the side would have big expectations from the youngster. Chamika Karunaratne and Jayathilake would need to do well in the supporting role.

Dambulla Giants Predicted Playing XI:

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

Dambulla Giants Actual Playing XI:

Niroshan Dickwella, Imran Tahir, Marchant de Lange, Ramesh Mendis, Janith Liyanage, Dasun Shanaka, Phil Salt, Tharindu Ratnayake, Sachitha Jayathilake, Najibullah Zadran, Chamika Karunaratne

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

The skies over Colombo would be cloudy on December 16 and there are predictions for rains during the game. The track has been flat but batting conditions would be challenging due to the weather. The side batting first in this game would be aiming for a score in the range of 160-170 runs in the game.

Venue Details

We have seen batsmen enjoy batting at the R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo. The fast outfield and the flat surface make run-scoring easy at this venue. It is a tough venue for the fast bowlers, but they have done well under overcast conditions. Spinners do well here as the wicket offers them a lot of assistance.

Toss: To Bowl

In most of the evening games played in the tournament, we have seen sides chasing the score registering wins. In a rain-curtailed game chasing scores always puts the side at an advantage. Hence, the side winning the toss here won’t have any hesitation in opting to bowl first.