IND vs SL Match Preview- 3rd ODI, India tour of Sri Lanka 2024

The IND vs SL series comes to a close with the third ODI in Colombo on Wednesday. The match is the decider with Sri Lanka 1-0 up in the series.

Meanwhile, fresh reports emerged saying that the on-field umpires for the first ODI failed to exercise the relevant rules in playing conditions which saw the game ending in a tie.

IND vs SL Date and Venue

The IND vs SL third ODI will be played in Colombo on Wednesday, August 7 from 2.30 pm IST. The toss will happen at 2 pm IST.

IND vs SL Match Preview- 3rd ODI, India tour of Sri Lanka 2024

India

After failing to win the second ODI, India found themselves in a must-win situation. Back-to-back battling collapses saw India tie the first ODI and lose the second. The Indian middle-order failed to withstand the spin force from the Sri Lankan spinners.

They failed at countering the spin off the track and perished in the process. Heading into the decider, the batters need to have better footwork against spin.

India Squad

Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar, Riyan Parag, Axar Patel, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, Khaleel Ahmed, Harshit Rana

Sri Lanka

From losing the T20I series, Sri Lanka have an upper hand in the ODI series as they are leading it 1-0. Despite losing key bowlers, the backup spinners have done the job for the side.

Skipper Charith Asalanka's plan to play with four spinners and him as the fifth turned out to be a masterstroke as they read the conditions perfectly. Heading into the decider, spin to win will be their mantra.

Sri Lanka Squad

Charith Asalanka (C), Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Kamindu Mendis, Janith Liyanage, Eshan Malinga, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Chamika Karunaratne, Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Nishan Madushka, Maheesh Theekshana, Akila Dananjaya, Asitha Fernando, Mohamed Shiraz

Also Read: Washington Sundar among players nominated for ICC Player of the Month award for July 2024

IND vs SL Key Battles

Rohit Sharma vs Jeffrey Vandersay

The leggie picked up six wickets in the second ODI including Rohit Sharma. This time around they should look to attack him more and Rohit at the top should lead by example.

Virat Kohli vs Jeffrey Vandersay

The leggie dismissed Kohli with a delivery that came in after pitching. The experienced Indian batter should read him off the hand and off the track as well.

Pathum Nissanka vs Mohd Siraj

Siraj dismissed the Lankan opener in the very first over. He should look to do the same in the decider to set the tone for India. The batter should be wary of the ball leading him.

Dunith Wellalage vs Kuldeep Yadav

The Lankan lower-order batter has scored in both the games against India and also took wickets. Kuldeep Yadav should look to dismiss Wellalage early.

IND vs SL Key Players

For India, the top three hold the key with the bat. With the ball, the onus will be on Siraj, Arshdeep, Kuldeep, and Sundar.

For Sri Lanka, Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis will be the key batters. With the ball, the four spinners hold the key with Jeffrey Vandersay the biggest threat.

IND vs SL Weather And Pitch Report

There is a rain threat for the decider. There is a 42 percent chance of rain in the afternoon which rises to 80 percent in the evening. The conditions will be cloudy throughout.

Conclusion

This is a must-win game for India to level the series. It will be India's 100th ODI win against Sri Lanka if they get it. Meanwhile, the hosts are looking for a major upset.

Also Read: "Jeffrey Vandersay took 6 wickets" - Kuldeep Yadav declared inferior to 34-year-old Sri Lankan by ex-India star