There have been victories defending both large and small totals, on varying terrains, and not always through predictable means. To accomplish all of this in two matches on three consecutive days against Pakistan and Sri Lanka — who were nearly guided home by Dunith Wellalage’s all-round effort of 5/40 and a valiant, unbeaten 42 — is no small feat, particularly for a team with so many personnel changes.

Here is India’s current achievement report: On two distinct pitches, the openers and middle order have received a comprehensive, staggered workout. Except for Suryakumar Yadav, all boxes have been checked while India has tinkered with its middle order. Shreyas Iyer played, but a back spasm hindered his development. KL Rahul and Ishan Kishan batted at No. 4 on Monday and Tuesday, respectively.

Bowlers have also flourished in unexpected ways. On a pitch that favored seamers, Kuldeep Yadav circumnavigated Pakistan and took five wickets. On a sticky, two-paced pitch ideal for spinners, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj removed Sri Lanka’s top three batsmen before India deployed two sluggish left-arm bowlers, Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel, along with Kuldeep, for a 41-run victory.

A 63-run seventh-wicket stand between Dhananjaya de Silva and Wellalage, who were devoting themselves and judiciously dissecting the gaps, brought the match closer than the scorecard indicated. But Jadeja provided a timely breakthrough, luring de Silva (who had one eye on the D/L par score) into choosing Shubman Gill at mid-on. Kuldeep was once again the most effective bowler, returning 4/43 despite a late lapse in discipline.

When Sri Lanka attempted to recover after losing three wickets in rapid succession, Kuldeep thwarted their efforts by having Sadeera Samarawickrama caught lbw by Rahul. The manner in which Rahul pounced to take a one-handed catch of Charith Asalanka demonstrated how well he is progressing as a wicketkeeper. Dasun Shanaka was caught by Rohit at first slip off Jadeja, and Sri Lanka appeared to be on the verge of extinction at 99/6.

This occurred after Bumrah had already caused early damage. Pathum Nissanka’s precise drive off Bumrah that yielded a boundary was one of the few highlights of his brief innings. Two balls later however, Bumrah made the ball angle into him before it straightened, taking an edge off Nissanka’s feeble drive to a diving Rahul. Siraj lured Dimuth Karunaratne into a flashy cut, which Shubman Gill did well to catch at first slip, but Kusal Mendis was always the prized scalp, particularly at home.

Mendis was looking in ominous form on what was obviously a difficult pitch under lights and a fresh spell of shower. There were a few fours, including a top-edge off Bumrah that was followed by a six over midwicket, but what the India pacer did next was nothing short of brilliant. It was indeed a slower dipper, but it was pitched almost at blockhole length, compelling Mendis to jab it out and toss it to Suryakumar, who had replaced Siraj, at cover, reducing Sri Lanka to 25/2.

As much as this victory should boost India’s confidence, it should not obscure their glaring weaknesses against spinners. Dunith Wellalage returning 5/40 is a clear indication that the left-arm slow bowler to right-handed batter matchup is poised to keep India on their toes.

Worrisome is the fact that the majority of India’s specialist batsmen approached Sri Lanka on a pitch loaded in favor of slow bowlers with hard hands and shaky frontfoot work.

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Rohit Sharma, the only batter to reach fifty, was unfortunate to have a Wellalage delivery scoot and remain low after pitching, whereas Gill was nowhere near the pitch of a delivery that spun past his outside edge. Virat Kohli fell while attempting to dislodge him from his leg, Hardik Pandya was bowled by an outgoing delivery similar to Gill, and Rahul was caught and bowled while attempting a backfoot strike. The only consolation was that Rahul appeared the most composed Indian batsman against Sri Lanka’s sluggish bowlers while he was batting.

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India vs Sri Lanka 3rd ODI Playing XI Prediction: Team India, led by Rohit Sharma, will aim for a clean sweep in the final ODI against Sri Lanka on Sunday. The team is unlikely to tinker with its batting line-up but skipper Rohit Sharma might look at some of his bowling options before facing a better quality opposition in New Zealand. On getting a chance in place of Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav did a wonderful job in the second ODI. In such a situation, it can be expected that he will get a chance again.

Big responsibility on the shoulders of Mohammed Shami

In the absence of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami will have to lead the fast bowling attack. In such a situation, BCCI must be keeping a close watch on his every performance. Even in the first two matches of the Border Gavaskar Trophy, Bumrah will not be present. Left-arm fast bowler Arshdeep Singh can be tried for variety. If the team wants to test Washington Sundar ahead of the series against the Black Caps, then the third ODI is an ideal platform.

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It is necessary to monitor Shami’s workload

Mohammed Shami’s workload will be the primary concern for the Indian team management. In the absence of Jasprit Bumrah, Shami will lead the Indian pace attack in the Test series against Australia. In such a situation, it is necessary to monitor their workload. In such a situation, left arm fast bowler Arshdeep Singh can be tried in the third ODI. Apart from bowling with the new ball, he can bowl in the death over as well.

Sundar can be tried

At the same time, if the Indian team wants to try Washington Sundar before the ODI series against New Zealand, then the third ODI is the perfect platform for that. If this happens then Akshar Patel can be given rest.

Will Kuldeep be out of playing-XI in third ODI?

If we talk about spin bowling, then Yuzvendra Chahal could not play the second ODI due to pain in the right shoulder. If he remains available for selection in the third ODI, it will be interesting to see whether Kuldeep Yadav will sit out the next match after being adjudged Player of the Match once again. However, the team management hardly takes such a decision. Mohammad Siraj and Umran Malik bowled well in both ODIs. In such a situation, both of them will be part of the playing-XI in the third.

High scoring match expected

The third ODI match between India and Sri Lanka will be played at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram. The match will start at 1:30 pm Indian time. So far only one ODI match has been played on this ground. West Indies scored 104 runs in that match, while India won by scoring 105 runs at the loss of one wicket. But today a high scoring match can be seen between India and Sri Lanka.

This can be the playing eleven of both the teams

India: Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma (Captain), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer / Suryakumar Yadav, KL Rahul, Hardik Pandya, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Umran Malik, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj.

Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Nuwanidu Fernando, Charith Aslanka, Dasun Shanaka (Captain), DD Silva, Wanindu Hasaranga, C Karunaratne, Dunith Velalej, K Mendis, Lahiru Kumara, K Rajitha.

The post IND vs SL 3rd ODI: India eyeing clean sweep, will Ishan-Surya get a chance? Know how playing-XI can be appeared first on Republic Aeon.

Great start to the ODIs and the New Year
A special way to start the year for King Kohli too 🤙

Kolkata next #TeamIndia 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/IyZTnUP66B

— Yuzvendra Chahal (@yuzi_chahal) January 10, 2023

After being put into bat first, India’s innings concluded at 373-7 with captain Rohit Sharma scoring 83 and Shubman Gill scoring 70.

In response, Sri Lanka skipper Dasun Shanaka made an undefeated 108 and opener Pathum Nissanka scored a decent 72, but it was insufficient as the visitors were unable to chase down the large total.

India Playing XI: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Mohammed Shami, Umran Malik, Mohammed Siraj, Yuzvendra Chahal

1st ODI, Sri Lanka in India, 3 ODI Series, 2023, Jan 10, 2023

Match Ended

IND : 373/7 (50.0)

SL : 306/8 (50.0)

Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati

India beat Sri Lanka by 67 runs

Sri Lanka Playing XI: Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis (wk), Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka (c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Dunith Wellalage, Kasun Rajitha, Dilshan Madushanka

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