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Match Details
Date: 23rd July 2021
Time: 3:00 PM IST
Venue: R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
Live Ball-by-Ball commentary: SportsTiger App
Preview
A second-string Indian side, they said! It's as lethal as the senior team, they never said! Despite the absence of big stars like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant, Jasprit Bumrah and so many others, the new-look Men in Blue side filled with youngsters has sealed the 3-match ODI series with two emphatic victories.
The first ODI signified the strength of India's depth as the youngsters like Prithvi Shaw and Ishan Kishan played such an exciting brand of fearless cricket which completely dismantled the Lankans on their home soil. The second ODI was all about the belief that exists within this young group of players as Deepak Chahar played a spectacular knock lower down the order to get India over the line and seal the series.
Despite two back-to-back defeats, Dasun Shanaka's side have had some positives in this series. Chamika Karunaratne has impressed with the bat while Wanindu Hasaranga has continued his heroic performances with the ball. With the series now set for a dead rubber on Friday, both sides will look to make the most out of this opportunity to go into the T20I series with momentum on their side.
Team News
India
With the series done and dusted, Rahul Dravid would want to make a few changes to the playing XI that has featured in the first 2 ODIs. With so many youngsters knocking on the doors, there is a likely possibility that players like Devdutt Padikkal, Sanju Samson etc. could get an opportunity in this match. Meanwhile, Hardik Pandya, who looked uncomfortable while bowling due to his back injury, is likely to be rested for the final ODI.
Sri Lanka
The home side will have a few things to ponder upon going into the final match of the series. Although the batting has been fairly decent, it is the bowling that has let Sri Lanka down in both matches. There is a possibility that someone like Praveen Jayawickrama or Akila Dananjaya could come in place of Lakshan Sandakan.
Key Players
Suryakumar Yadav: The right-handed batsman has looked in sublime touch in the first two matches of the series. After playing an unbeaten 31-run knock in the 1st ODI, Suryakumar Yadav got an opportunity to spend more time at the crease in 2nd ODI and he certainly made the most out of it by scoring a game-changing half-century. He will be the man to watch out for once again in the final ODI.
Chamika Karunaratne: The Sri Lankan all-rounder has been one of the most impressive players for the home side in this series so far. Chamika Karunratne has had two exciting outings with the bat so far, scoring 43* and 44*. He has not got out in the series so far and would be expecting to bat slightly higher up the order in the final match.
Deepak Chahar: The Indian all-rounder caught everyone by surprise with his breathtaking 69* in the 2nd ODI which guided India to an improbable victory in Colombo. However, it has been his bowling that has gone overshadowed by his batting heroics. Chahar has registered two good performances with the ball, returning with figures of 2/37 and 2/53 in the series so far.
Wanindu Hasaranga: The spin-bowling all-rounder has been one of the most exciting players for Sri Lanka in recent times and Wanindu Hasaranga certainly did not disappoint this time around as well. Although he failed to make an impact in the first match, he bowled a breathtaking spell (3/37) in the previous match where he almost won the match for his side.
Probable Playing XI
India: Devdutt Padikkal, Shikhar Dhawan (C), Ishan Kishan (wk), Manish Pandey, Suryakumar Yadav, Sanju Samson, Krunal Pandya, Deepak Chahar, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav
Sri Lanka: Avishka Fernando, Minod Bhanuka (wk), Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka (c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Dushmantha Chameera, Kasun Rajitha, Praveen Jayawickrama/Akila Dananjaya