PREVIEW
Regardless of Jadeja’s absence, India would go all out to safe a uncommon sequence whitewash in Sri Lanka. AFP
Two groups at two excessive ends of the spectrum conflict within the last Test of the Sri Lanka-India sequence on the picturesque Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, beginning Saturday (August 12). The truth is, arguably the one factor worldwide in regards to the sequence to this point has been the grounds, and the gorgeous Pallekele Stadium presents a near-perfect finish to the sequence.
If solely the identical may very well be stated in regards to the cricket, too. Sri Lanka have been a facet that has struggled to compete over the course of the final two Tests, and their opponents, India, have already run away with the sequence. On a batting magnificence at Galle, India thumped them by 304 runs, whereas on a rank-turner on the SSC in Colombo was one other huge innings win for Virat Kohli’s facet. The hosts have struggled with a spate of accidents to key gamers, and have been additional dented by the unavailability of Rangana Herath and Nuwan Pradeep, Sri Lanka’s tempo and spin leads, for the third Test.
Every little thing factors to a different rout by the Indians, however Sri Lanka will stroll in understanding they made their much-fancied opposition toil onerous within the second innings on the SSC, and would hope that was a flip of the tide.
For India, it should simply be a matter of doing extra of the identical since they stepped foot in Sri Lanka. Their batting seems in nice type, having amassed 600 runs in each Tests, whereas their bowlers have adopted up and delivered the victories. They’re on the cusp of a historic away-series whitewash, and can hope to take action with one other scientific efficiency.
When: Sri Lanka vs India, third Test, Begins August 12, 10:00 AM Native Time
The place: Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele
What to anticipate: There was rain two days earlier than the sport, and it resulted in each groups cancelling their pre-game apply periods on Friday. There may very well be extra rain on the playing cards over the Test match. The pitch, which had been underneath covers in a single day, underwent one other drastic change a day earlier than the sport, with the greenish tinge slowly giving option to extra brown. The bottom employees used onerous brushes and the mower to remove what grass there was left on the pitch. The monitor seems a tough one, and the toss might as soon as once more play a decisive issue.
Team Information
Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka are with out two predominant bowlers in Pradeep, dominated out with a hamstring damage, and Herath, with a again pressure, and so they should make a number of modifications as a way to fill these gaps. They need to additionally dispose of their ploy of taking part in simply the lone pacer, like they did on the SSC. They’ve introduced in two extra pacers in Dushmantha Chameera, Lahiru Gamage for this recreation, and the duo would battle for the pacers’ slots together with Vishwa Fernando and Lahiru Kumara. On the spin entrance, Malinda Pushpakumara ought to give option to Lakshan Sandakan after a less-than-impressive debut. Lahiru Thirimanne can be anticipated to return to the squad, taking the place of Dhananjaya de Silva.
Possible XI: Upul Tharanga, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Lahiru Thirimanne/Dhananjaya de Silva, Niroshan Dickwella, Dilruwan Perera, Lakshan Sandakan, Vishwa Fernando/Lahiru Kumara, Lahiru Gamage/Dushmantha Chameera
India: India have comparatively fewer complications than Sri Lanka, however the suspension of the world’s primary allrounder and bowler, Ravindra Jadeja, would have thrown a spanner within the works. Kuldeep Yadav ought to are available in for the left-armer. There isn’t a change anticipated to the remainder of the line-up, however with the sequence executed and dusted, do not be stunned if Kohli and Co. give the bench-warmers an opportunity.
Possible XI: Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, R Ashwin, Wriddhiman Saha, Hardik Pandya, Kuldeep Yadav, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Shami
Do you know?
– If India handle to win the third Test, it is going to be the primary occasion of them profitable three Tests in a sequence away from residence since 1968. Australia (in 2004) stays the one facet to beat Sri Lanka Three-Zero in a sequence in Sri Lanka.
– If each Lakshan Sandakan and Kuldeep Yadav make it to the respective taking part in XIs, it is going to be the primary occasion of two chinaman bowlers taking part in for the opposing groups in a Test match since 2004.
– The final time Sri Lanka performed a house sequence (2+ Tests) with none bowler taking 10 wickets within the sequence was in opposition to South Africa in 2004. Their two main wicket takers of the sequence – Nuwan Pradeep (6) & Rangana Herath (5) – have been dominated out of the third Test.
