MUMBAI: In match number 33 of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, India will face Sri Lanka at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai today (Thursday).
A victory for India in this match could secure their place in the knockout stages, while Sri Lanka needs to pull off an upset against the hosts to keep their hopes of progressing alive in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023.
India is in excellent form, being the only undefeated side with six comprehensive victories. They currently lead the standings and are on the verge of securing their spot in the knockout stage.
With a potential seventh consecutive win, India can guarantee their presence in the crucial phase of the tournament, allowing them to fine-tune their lineup and aim for a first-place finish.
Sri Lanka was expected to be one of the surprise contenders in the tournament, especially after reaching the final of the recent Asia Cup on their home turf. However, the painful loss to India in that final is likely still fresh in their memories.
In that match, Sri Lanka was bowled out for just 50 runs when they batted first, and Mohammed Siraj took an impressive 6/21. India reached the target in a mere 6.1 overs, with all 10 wickets in hand.
India also won their previous encounter with Sri Lanka in this event, along with all three ODIs when they faced off in January of this year. However, the Sri Lanka XI is expected to have a different look for this match due to several injuries.
Injuries have plagued the Sri Lankan squad both before and during the tournament. Skipper Dasun Shanaka, Lahiru Kumara, and Matheesha Pathirana have been ruled out. Nevertheless, the remaining squad must find a way to cause an upset to keep their hopes alive.
Jasprit Bumrah has been a standout performer among fast bowlers in the tournament for India, having taken 13 wickets in their first six matches. He has consistently taken wickets, with a notable performance of 3/32 against titleholders England in their last match.
Bumrah’s economy rate of 3.91 is second only to spinner Ravindra Jadeja (3.75) and another teammate, Ravichandran Ashwin (3.4), who has played only one match so far.
While Mohammed Shami has made a strong impression in India’s recent matches, Bumrah continues to be the leader of the pace attack and plays a pivotal role in India’s quest for a semi-final berth.
On the Sri Lankan side, opener Pathum Nissanka has been in exceptional form with the bat, providing the team with solid starts despite the squad’s injury setbacks. Nissanka had a streak of four consecutive fifties in the tournament and was on track to break a record, only to be dismissed for 46 against Afghanistan.
With 289 runs from six innings in the tournament, the consistent 25-year-old will need to convert another strong start into a century if Sri Lanka hopes to cause an upset and boost their chances of reaching the semi-finals.
Squads:
India: Rohit Sharma (c), Hardik Pandya (vc), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav
Sri Lanka: Kusal Mendis (c), Kusal Perera, Pathum Nissanka, Angelo Mathews, Dushmantha Chameera, Dimuth Karunaratne, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, Kasun Rajitha, Dilshan Madushanka, Dushan Hemantha, Chamika Karunaratne
