Find out all you need to know about the clash between the sides in Pune...
The three-match T20I series between India and Sri Lanka comes to a close on Friday, with the hosts holding a 1-0 lead after the first game between the sides rained off.
THIRD T20I: Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune (Friday, January 10, 7.00pm IST, 1.30pm GMT)
Well, the second game between the sides saw a one-sided affair come down in favour of Virat Kohli’s side. After winning the toss and electing to chase, the seam-bowling trio of Navdeep Saini, Shardul Thakur and Jasprit Bumrah restricted Lasith Malinga’s outfit to a meagre 142 for 9, with only Kusal Perera passing 22.
In response, India made light work of their target, knocking off the total with 15 balls to spare. Malinga was taken at more than 10 runs per over as Kohli eased his side home.
Sri Lanka, therefore, have to win in Pune as they look to share the spoils from the series.
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They will have their work cut out against a fine group of Indian fast bowlers, who gave away little on Tuesday. Saini and Thakur’s eight overs went collectively for 41 runs, with Perera’s three sixes the only real signs of relief for the visitors as they sought to reach a competitive total.
Run-scoring has been an issue for Sri Lanka, with a T20 World Cup less than a year away.
Malinga's side averaged just 7.45 per over through the course of the last 12 months leading up to this series. The side is much the same as the batting lineup that stumbled to totals of 117 all out and 99 for 9 during October's 3-0 series loss in Australia.
India squad: Virat Kohli (c), Jasprit Bumrah, Yuzvendra Chahal, Shikhar Dhawan, Shivam Dube, Shreyas Iyer, Ravindra Jadeja, Manish Pandey, Rishabh Pant (wk), KL Rahul, Navdeep Saini, Sanju Samson, Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav
Sri Lanka squad: Lasith Malinga (c), Dhananjaya de Silva, Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Avishka Fernando, Oshada Fernando, Danushka Gunathilaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Lahiru Kumara, Angelo Mathews, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Kasun Rajitha, Lakshan Sandakan, Dasun Shanaka, Isuru Udana
Dafabet has India as 1/5 favourites to take the opening game, while Sri Lanka can be backed at 7/2 in Pune.
A sunny day is expected in Pune, with temperatures reaching 29 degrees.
Star Gold will air the match in both the UK and India, with pre-match coverage from 7pm IST (1.30pm GMT). The series will also stream via the Hotstar platform.
This preview is brought to you in association with Dafabet India. For more on Dafabet and to place a bet, click here.
Posted by Dillip on 10/01/2020 at 08:39
India is my favourite team. Now when team doing fielding properly then they're achieve victory. God bless Indians cricketers
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