'Experimentation' is Indian cricket's latest favorite word. Each time when the staff or a player is spoken to, there is a prominence in this word.
India is so involved in this progress that they almost cost the previous game in Pallekelle, by sending in KL Rahul and Kedar Jadhav above the skipper at number 3 and 4 respectively.
At the start of the series, Virat Kohli said that Team India is ready to experiment their squad. They won't mind losing a few games untill they identify the right core group of the World Cup 2019.
After a 2 day gap, the hosts will see a couple of forced changes to the side, with the captain Upul Tharanga being banned for the next two games for slow-over rate and will give his number 4 position to Dinesh Chandimal. To make matters even worse, the star batsman and opener, Danushka Gunathilaka is ruled out of the 3rd ODI due to a shoulder injury and is expected to be replaced by Lahiru Thiramanne.
The reigns of the Sri Lankan side will fall on Chamara Kapugedra, who will captain the side in the absence of Tharanga. Apart from this, Sri Lanka is expected to field the same 9 for their do or die game.
We may see one change in the Indian Team with the left arm chinaman - Kuldeep Yadav replacing Axar Patel. Axar was brilliant in the initial match, where he picked up a 3 for and set up a 9 wicket win for India. But, he was not that effective as a wicket taker at Pallekelle where he finished up at 1 for 30 in his 10 over quota.
Yuzvendra Chahal, with his loopy leg-breaks found more success in Pallekelle. He finished up with figures of 2 for 43 in 10 overs. He maybe a little expensive, but he was able to turn the ball and beat the bat with more regularity. Also, Dananjaya's 6 wicket spell in the last match will give Kohli the confidence to play Kuldeep.
The Indian batsman will hopefully read Dananjaya's googlies better this time but the hosts will be looking forward to him for another exceptional performance at the same venue - Pallekelle.
Cheers,
Sparsh
Sparsh
Good analysis :)
ReplyDeleteKeep it up!