The deciding T20I between India and Sri Lanka will be played at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Rajkot on Saturday. Sri Lanka bounced back into the series after winning the second T20I by 16 runs at the MCA, Pune on Thursday.
Sri Lanka was the better team for the major part of the second game and deserved to win. India, on the other hand, was sloppy with the ball as they bowled a total of seven no-balls. Furthermore, India’s top order once again failed to give them a bright start, which led to their downfall despite a valiant effort from Axar Patel and Suryakumar Yadav.
For Sri Lanka, there were many positives as Kusal Mendis, Charith Asalanka and Dasun Shanaka were brilliant with the bat. Moreover, Dilshan Madhushanka and Kasun Rajitha were right on the money with the new ball and breathed down the neck of India’s top order.
Meanwhile, India’s young brigade will have to take more onus on their shoulders. India’s batting has adopted an aggressive approach, which is a positive for the T20I format but they also need to play according to the match situation.
Furthermore, India’s fast bowling was not up to the mark and they need to reduce the errors of overstepping the crease.
On the other hand, Axar Patel and Suryakumar Yadav were magnificent with the bat for the home team as they gave a glimmer of hope to their side.
Match Prediction: Despite the loss in the second game, India will start as slight favorites against Sri Lanka.
India Squad for Sri Lanka T20Is: Hardik Pandya (Captain), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav, Rahul Tripathi, Deepak Hooda, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Shivam Mavi, Ishan Kishan, Sanju Samson, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Harshal Patel, Umran Malik, Mukesh Kumar.
Sri Lanka Squad for India T20Is: Dasun Shanaka (Captain), Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Kusal Mendis, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Ashen Bandara, Maheesh Theekshana, Dilshan Madushanka, Kasun Rajitha, Dunith Wellalage, Pramod Madushan, Lahiru Kumara, Nuwan Thushara.
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