Quite early on in Tuesday’s practice session, Shubman Gill stepped out against Axar Patel and gave his left-arm spin a hard whack. Using their feet was one aspect of India’s game that was completely shelved against the Sri Lankan spinners in the second ODI, which they lost. This defeat leaves them needing to salvage the series in the last game.
In a match that saw many Indian batters struggle, as many as five were pinged on their pads and dismissed LBW – the joint-most number of wickets India has lost this way in an ODI. The tricky bowler behind their woes was a leg-spinner who wasn’t even part of the original squad until a day earlier. All he did was stick to a stump-to-stump line. Abhishek Nayar, India’s assistant coach, acknowledged the troubles Indian batters faced during the middle overs for two consecutive games and the need to rectify those errors.
In the two-hour session, Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, and Virat Kohli dedicated most of their time to specific drills and techniques. These players hope that some of their exercises will stand them in good stead for the final game of the ongoing Sri Lanka tour.
The loss in the second match has also broadened India’s strategic options, forcing them to choose between fielding their best possible XI or experimenting with an eye on the upcoming major ICC tournament, which is only six months away. For Gautam Gambhir and his newly-appointed coaching staff, another loss would be a significant setback. Having inherited a side that showcased some of India’s best ODI cricket less than a year ago, an unsuccessful tour would lead to more questions than answers at the end of their short tenure in the south.
“When is the match?” cricket fans may ask. The series decider is set for Wednesday, August 7, 2024, at 2:30 PM Local Time at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. A low-scoring encounter is anticipated, with the pitch expected to offer plenty of assistance to spinners. Weather forecasts suggest pleasant conditions with slight cloud cover in the afternoon.
Team news indicates few changes. Sri Lanka, yet to lose a game in the series, are expected to stick with the same XI that played on Sunday. One potential tweak could see Dunith Wellalage promoted up the batting order.
Sri Lanka’s probable XI is: Avishka Fernando, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka (C), Janith Liyanage, Kusal Mendis, Dunith Wellalage, Akila Dananjaya, Jeffrey Vandersay, and Asitha Fernando.
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India’s preparations included full involvement from Rohit Sharma in practice, though he didn’t bat. Conversely, Rishabh Pant did have a go against the spinners in the nets. Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Shubman Gill, and KL Rahul had notably long sessions, while neither Mohammed Siraj nor Arshdeep Singh bowled.
India’s probable XI: Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Shivam Dube/Rishabh Pant, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, and Khaleel Ahmed.
Interesting statistics add depth to this match preview. For instance, before the series started, Janith Liyanage boasted an impressive average of 199 against spinners in ODIs. However, in this series, he has only managed 32 runs in two innings, one of which saw him walk without edging the ball. Meanwhile, Sri Lankan spinners Dunith Wellalage and Akila Dananjaya have bowled a combined total of 34 overs, conceding 173 runs and taking just three wickets. In contrast, Sadeera Samarawickrama came into this series averaging 180 against left-arm orthodox spin but has been dismissed twice in as many games by Axar Patel.
Quotations from players offer further insights. “Honestly, we are quality players of spin. We always played on these kinds of wickets even at home, even in Tests and domestic cricket. It is just a matter of finding ways individually and trying to get the job done,” said Washington Sundar, India’s all-rounder, ahead of the third ODI.
On the other side, Jeffrey Vandersay, who took six wickets in the second ODI, said, “There was a lot of pressure coming into the side after my layoff. The wicket offered assistance, and I tried to hit the good areas. Once I got my first wicket, my confidence built up. Fortunately, I was able to take six wickets.”
With both teams gearing up for this crucial decider, fans can expect a thrilling clash as India seeks to address their middle-overs issues and stake their claim on the series. The R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo will undoubtedly bear witness to a game charged with high stakes and compelling cricket.