SL eye maiden ODI series win versus India since 1997
Sri Lanka will chase history in the third and final ODI against India on August 7. While the series opener ended in a tie, the Lankans successfully defended 240 in the second game to take an unassailable 1-0 lead. Meanwhile, the hosts have a chance to win their maiden bilateral ODI series against India in this century. Here is the preview.
Stadium stats and pitch report
Colombo's R Premadasa Stadium is hosting the entire series. The surface in the first two games favored the bowlers, especially the slower ones. The batting gets even more difficult once the ball gets old. As per Cricbuzz, teams batting first have won 89 of the 166 ODIs played here (65 losses). The average first innings score here in the ODI format reads 231.
Where to watch the match?
The series finale will be telecast live on the Sony Sports Network, while SonyLIV will provide the live streaming (2:30pm IST). The toss was held 30 minutes prior to the start.
A look at head-to-head record
As per ESPNcricinfo, India have firmly dominated Sri Lanka, as far as the ODI head-to-head record is concerned (99-58). The two sides have been involved in two ties. The Lankans last won a bilateral ODI series against India in 1997. Notably, a win in the third game can make India the first nation to complete 100 ODI wins against an opponent.
Collapses have hurt India
It has been a low-scoring series so far as both sides managed 231 in the opener while India couldn't chase 241 in the second game. The sudden collapses have hurt India as their openers added 75 and 97 runs in the first two matches. Spinners across both camps have been mighty impressive. Meanwhile, the lower order has contributed well for the home team.
Here are the probable XIs
India (Probable XI): Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj. Sri Lanka (Probable XI): Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis (wk), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka (c), Kamindu Mendis, Janith Liyanage, Dunith Wellalage, Akila Dananjaya, Asitha Fernando, Jeffrey Vandersay.
Here are the key performers
With 122 runs while striking at 134.07, Rohit Sharma is the leading run-getter of the series. Axar Patel registered 30-plus scores in the first two games besides scalping three wickets. Besides Rohit, Dunith Wellalage (106) is the only other batter with 100-plus runs in this series. He also took two wickets in the opener. Meanwhile, leg-spinner Jeffrey Vandersay took 6/33 in the second game.
