Sri Lanka vs India 2021, 3rd ODI- Sri Lanka's Predicted XI

India and Sri Lanka are set to battle against other each in the 3rd ODI of the ongoing series. Sri Lanka vs India 3rd ODI will take place on Friday (July 23). R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, Sri Lanka will host the match. India has already bagged the series victory with 2 back-to-back victories in the first two games.

India won the first match by 7 wickets after comfortably chasing the 263-run target within 37 overs. The Shikhar Dhawan and co. had a tough time while chasing 276 runs in the 2nd ODI, however, they managed to pull off a victory in the end by 3 wickets.

Now, the visitors India will aim to earn a clean sweep in the ODI series by crushing Sri Lanka in the 3rd ODI as well. On the other hand, Sri Lanka will look to win the 3rd ODI so that they can evade the humiliation of whitewash at home. Here we take a look at Sri Lanka’s playing XI in the 3rd ODI.

Sri Lanka vs India 2021, 3rd ODI- Sri Lanka’s Predicted XI

Avishka Fernando

Avishka Fernando will be the first player in Sri Lanka’s playing XI. The right-handed batsman smashed a fifty in Sri Lanka vs India 2nd ODI. In the first ODI, he hit 33 runs. With a good knock in the previous game, Sri Lanka will definitely play Fernando in the opening slot in the 3rd ODI as well.

Minod Bhanuka (Wicketkeeper)

Minod Bhanuka will mostly be the wicketkeeper and the other opener in the team. The wicketkeeper-batsman has so far done a great job as an opener with Avishka Fernando. The left-handed batsman scored 27 runs in the 1st ODI and 36 runs in the 2nd ODI. Moreover, he also made a 49-run partnership and 77-run partnership in both the games with Avishka Fernando.

Bhanuka Rajapaksa

Bhanuka Rajapaksa lost his wicket for a duck in the previous game but he has scored 24 runs in the first match. Rajapaksa is the best option that Sri Lanka has at the no.3 spot. Hence, he is highly expected to play in the third ODI as well. The left-handed batsman will be aiming to come up with a big knock in Sri Lanka vs India 3rd ODI, something he could not do in the first two games.

Dhananjaya de Silva

Dhananjaya de Silva could muster only 14 runs in the 1st ODI. Later in the 2nd ODI, he came up with a better knock of 32 runs. He also picked 2 wickets in the 1st ODI. Hence, he is a crucial all-rounder for the team and the team might again pick him in the 3rd ODI.

Charith Asalanka

Charith Asalanka has been the highest run-getter for Sri Lanka in the ODI series so far. The left-handed batsman has mustered 103 runs in the 2 games so far. In Sri Lanka vs India 1st ODI, Asalanka scored 38 runs. In the 2nd ODI, he smashed most 65 runs. Hence, Asalanka is in good batting form and the team has no reason to bench him in the third ODI.

Dasun Shanaka (Captain)

Dasun Shanaka is the captain of Sri Lanka team. The all-rounder has scored 55 runs in the two games so far- 39 runs in Sri Lanka vs India 1st ODI and 16 runs in the 2nd ODI. Shanaka also picked 1 wicket in the 2nd ODI. Shanaka will lead the team in the third ODI as well.

Wanindu Hasaranga

With his three wickets in 2nd ODI, Wanindu Hasaranga was the big reason for sending India on the backfoot during the match. He conceded just 37 runs in his 10 overs while scalping three wickets. With such a spectacular bowling show in the 2nd ODI, the team is highly expected to retain him in the playing XI in the 3rd ODI.

Chamika Karunaratne

Chamika Karunaratne, who bats at the lower-middle order, has definitely managed to perform his duty effectively for the team. During Sri Lanka vs India 1st ODI, he smashed unbeaten 43 runs off 35 balls. In the 2nd ODI, he hit unbeaten 44 runs off 33 deliveries. His knocks in both innings helped the team to elevate the scoreboard during the final overs.

Dushmantha Chameera

Dushmantha Chameera was one of the pacers in Sri Lanka’s playing XI in both matches. The right-arm pacer has remained wicket-less in the two matches so far. He conceded 42 runs in 7 overs in Sri Lanka vs India 1st ODI and 65 runs in the 2nd ODI. Although he emerged quite expensive in both the ODIs, he is one of the best pacers which the team has in the squad.

Lakshan Sandakan

Lakshan Sandakan has picked 2 wickets in so far in the series, picking 1 wicket each in one match. The left-arm spinner has done a decent job, bowling at an economy rate of 6.10 and 7.10 in both matches. Being a left-arm spinner, Sandakan gives a different depth to Sri Lanka’s spin attack. He is also expected to be part of the playing XI in Sri Lanka vs India 3rd ODI.

Kasun Rajitha

Kasun Rajitha replaced Isuru Udana in the 2nd ODI, as the latter emerged too expensive in the 1st ODI. Udana conceded 27 runs in just two overs, and Sri Lanka restricted him from bowling overs in the game. Rajith managed to pick 1 wicket in Sri Lanka vs India 2nd ODI while conceding 53 runs in 7.1 overs. Sri Lanka might stick to Rajitha for playing XI in the 3rd ODI as well.