Predicting Sri Lanka’s Playing XI for their 3rd ODI against Sri Lanka 

Sri Lanka are one step away from completing a famous series win against India. Charith Asalanka and his team have played out of their skin in the first two games against a strong Indian batting unit. The home team were led to a 32-run win thanks to the six-wicket haul by Jeffrey Vandersay. 

The final game on Wednesday will give the Sri Lankans a chance to put behind their misery in their previous two ICC events. Their spin bowling has been top notch and the likes of Akila Dhananjaya, Jefferey Vandersay, Akila Dhananjaya, and Charith Asalanka himself have been picking wickets at regular intervals. 

It is the batting that will be a huge cause of concern for Sri Lankan coach Sanath Jayasuriya. Dunith Wellage has twice bailed them out of trouble with two crucial scores in the first two games. The likes of Kusal Mendis and Sadeera Samarawickrama need to show more consistency if Sri Lanka has to post a huge score on the board. 

Here is the likely Sri Lanka XI for the final match versus India:

Openers – Avishka Fernando and Pathum Nissanka

Sri Lanka will hope that Pathum Nissanka getting out to the first ball of the game was a minor blip. The young right-handed batter has been the best batter for his side in the last few months and his penchant to score runs will be crucial. Avishka Fernando was at his attacking best in the previous game and will want to do the same once again and put more pressure on India. 

Middle-order – Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, and Janith Liyanage

Kusal Mendis has been getting starts but hasn’t been able to convert it into a big score. The diminutive batter is a delight to watch when he gets going and can score big runs on the board. Sadeera Samarawickrama and Janith Liyanage haven’t been able to score the big runs they have been known for which has seen Sri Lanka suffer two batting collapses. 

All-rounders – Charith Asalanka, Kamindu Mendis, Dunith Wellage

Charith Asalanka has led the side well with the ball as well as his captaincy has been phenomenal. Asalanka has twice helped Sri Lanka get back into the game from impossible situations with the ball. Kamindu Mendis was the joint top scorer with the bat in the last game and can also pick wickets with his ambidextrous spin bowling. The star for Sri Lanka this series has been Dunith Wellage who hasn’t just dominated with the bat but also picked crucial wickets. 

Bowlers – Akila Dananjaya, Jeffrey Vandersay, and Asitha Fernando 

Akila Dhananjaya has made a tremendous comeback into international cricket and made the Indian batters dance to his tunes with the ball. Veteran spinner Jeffrey Vandersay was the best bowler in the game on Sunday with his 6 wickets that broke the momentum for Team India. The home team has one thing to worry as their fast bowler Asitha Fernando has been expensive in the initial overs with the new ball 

Sri Lanka’s Likely XI for the Third ODI versus India

Avishka Fernando, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (WK), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka (Captain), Janith Liyanage, Kamindu Mendis, Dunith Wellage, Akila Dhananjaya, Jeffrey Vandersay, and Asitha Fernando. 

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