Colombo: India coach Rahul Dravid will have to choose between experimenting and continuing the winning combination to ensure a clean sweep in the third and final ODI against Sri Lanka here on Friday. Shikhar Dhawan-led India won the first game by seven wickets, while Deepak Chahar smashed an unbeaten 69 in the second match as the visitors registered a three-wicket win.
Now, it remains to be seen whether India continue with Prithvi Shaw, who achieved scores of 43 and 13 as captain at the top, or go for the classy Devdutt Padikkal or the equally elegant Ruturaj Gaikwad – both Great List A player. If Shaw gets another chance, he will be keen to get the big score, as he failed to convert his start in the first game.
Another dilemma for the team management will be whether to stick with the aggressive Ishan Kishan or give Sanju Samson another hard-working batsman a chance to make his ODI debut. The likes of Manish Pandey and the constantly improving Suryakumar Yadav are sure to retain their place as the duo form the backbone of the middle order.
With vice-captain Bhuvneshwar Kumar making it clear that there is no fitness issue with Hardik Pandya, the flamboyant Baroda player and his brother all-rounder Krunal are expected to play. There are times when not every player wants to rest and play every game, but the team management will need to consider the workload of the bowlers, as they are playing six matches in just 12 days in the humid conditions of Sri Lanka.
In the last two matches, the Indian bowlers managed to stop the inexperienced Sri Lankan batting line-up and pulled things back. While Bhuvneshwar may continue to lead the attack, it remains to be seen whether the team management picks young Navdeep Saini or goes uncapped. Last game’s hero Deepak Chahar was replaced by impressive left-arm pacer Chetan Sakaria, who has been exceptional with his knock-ball.
But Chahar, who has now shown he can bat, is also a key player in the T20 set-up, and can therefore be rested, which includes the three shortest format games. The spin duo of Kuldeep Yadav (2/48 and 0/55) and Yuzvendra Chahal (2/52 and 3/50) did well in the first two matches. But with players like off-spinner Krishnappa Gautam and the talented Rahul Chahar waiting to go, it will be a difficult decision as to who to play.
With the series already in the bag, the team can rest Kulcha and play the young guns with Kunal as the third spinner. For Sri Lanka, a win in the final game will do wonders for their confidence after almost winning the second game. Opener Avishka Fernando is scoring runs but needs support from other batsmen
A good outing for skipper Dasun Shanaka, Minod Bhanuka, Dhananjay de Silva and others will not only help the team but themselves as well in their careers ahead. Sri Lanka coach Mickey Arthur’s anger and frustration was clearly visible in the last match but he needs to strengthen his players, especially his bowlers.
The performance of leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga, who took three wickets in the last match for Sri Lanka, will also be crucial.
Teams (from):
India: Shikhar Dhawan (captain), Prithvi Shaw, Devdutt Padikkal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Suryakumar Yadav, Manish Pandey, Nitish Rana, Ishan Kishan, Sanju Samson, Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya, Krishnappa Gowtham, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy, Rahul Chahar, Deepak Chahar, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Chetan Sakariya, Navdeep Saini.
Sri Lanka: Garlic Shanaka (Captain), Dhananjaya de Silva, Avishka Fernando, Bhanuka Rajapakse, Pathum Nisanka, Charit Aslanka, Vanindu Hasaranga, Ashen Service, Binod Bhanuka, Lahiru Air, Ramesh Mendis, Chamika Karunaratne, Dushmantha Chamira, Laxman Sandakan, Dhananjay, Shiran Fernando, Dhananjay Lakshan, Ishaan Jayaratne, Praveen Jayavikrema, Asitha Fernando, Kasun Rajita, Lahiru Kumara, Isuru Udana
The match will start at 3 PM IST.
get all IPL news and cricket score Here
.