IND vs SL: Dominant India demonstrated their power pack ‘all-round’ show to dump the Sri Lankan team’s hopes to win the ODI series in India and now India will be seeking to bury Lankan’s hopes to win a single ODI match on this tour. India made a one-sided victory in the first ODI and won the second ODI by 4 wickets.
With the series already lost 2-0, Sri Lanka will play for pride against India in the third and final ODI on Sunday in Thiruvananthapuram (January 15). Although there are no Super League points on the line in this minor encounter, Sri Lanka does have one last chance to qualify for the 2023 World Cup automatically, when they play and beat New Zealand at home and a victory before that would boost their confidence.
The World Cup hosts, on the other hand, have a busy multi-format home season ahead with at least 12 more ODIs and an Asia Cup to play after this, and the management would be concerned about the players’ workload.
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The Blackcaps will play three T20Is and three ODIs in India immediately after this series is over, so players will need to be rested and in top physical condition. As a result, several members of the lineup from the second ODI may not play in the final ODI.
When captain Rohit Sharma at Eden Gardens was asked about the expected changes for the final game of the series, he said “We haven’t thought about it yet, once we get there we’ll have a look at the pitch and have a look at some of our guys. There are three ODIs coming up against New Zealand as well, so we need to keep the guys fresh. We’ve got a long season now and we need to keep everything in mind. If needed, we’ll make some changes.”
IND vs SL: India can make these 3 Changes for the 3rd ODI
- Arshdeep Singh can get a chance: Considering India has won the series, Arshdeep might have a chance if the team decides to rest the regular bowlers. As we all know, fast bowlers are the players who give everything they have to get the job done for their side. Arshdeep Singh, the team’s lone left-arm pacer, might see the outing as India looks to test the depth of their bench as they gear up for the World Cup.
- Kuldeep Yadav may get sidelined again: If India’s first-choice wrist spinner Yuzvendra Chahal recovers fully, attention will once again be on Kuldeep Yadav, who bowled wonderfully in Kolkata but may find himself sidelined once again after yet another Player of the Match performance, as in Bangladesh in the recently concluded Test series. After seeing his hard work, you definitely would have felt for Kuldeep Yadav.
- Hardik Pandya can get rest to field Washi Sundar: Due to the fact that Hardik Pandya has played five consecutive games and that the New Zealand series is just around the corner, team management may ask him to take a rest from playing to keep him fresh for the upcoming series. This can link Washington Sundar’s possible addition to the lineup. He brings left-handed batting, right-arm off-break, and great spin play on his Resume. He can be a good replacement since the Greenfield Stadium pitch is known for assisting spinners.
After a flawless performance in Guwahati and a victory in Kolkata, India has a 2-0 series lead. The hosts wouldn’t want to let their guard down even in the dead rubber because they would be facing a tougher opponent in New Zealand just one week from now.
Predicted Playing XI: Rohit Sharma(C), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav/ Yuzi Chahal, Mohammad Shami, Mohammad Siraj, Arshdeep Singh.
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