After an exciting contest last time around, fans would be expecting another close contest when India and Sri Lanka fight it out in the 3rd One Day international at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Sunday. Akila Dananjaya, who joined the Lanka squad barely a day after his marriage, can prove to be a game changer. Apart from Dhoni and Bhuvneshwar, other Indian batsman could not read Dananjaya at all and were outfoxed by the mystery spinner.
Sri Lanka have been dealt a blow , with their captain Upul Tharanga being suspended for 2 matches due to slow over rate . Therefore Chamara Kapugedera would lead the side in his absence. "It's a challenge for me. Every game is a challenge and I am ready for that challenge. As a team we discussed a lot of things. Whatever we spoke we need to put them into practice," said Kapugedera.
Even after the batting collapse in the last match, India is likely to keep experimenting with the batting line-up , with an eye on the 2019 world cup preparations. It will be interesting to see if someone like Manish Pandey and Kuldeep Yadav is given a chance to prove themselves.
Sri Lanka Squad:
Chamara Kapugedara (c), Dinesh Chandimal, Lahiru Thirimanna, Angelo Mathews, Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Danushka Gunathilaka, Kusal Mendis, Chamara Kapugedera, Milinda Siriwardana, Malinda Pushpakumara, Akila Dananjaya, Lakshan Sandakan, Thisara Perera, Wanindu Hasaranga, Lasith Malinga, Dushmantha Chameera, Vishwa Fernando, Upul Tharanga (for fifth ODI).
India Squad:
Virat Kohli (c), Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Manish Pandey, Ajinkya Rahane, Kedar Jadhav, MS Dhoni (wk), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Shardul Thakur.