India Vs Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka Predicted XI, Dharamsala, First ODI, Thisara Perera
Sri Lanka would face a tough task against formidable India. Photo Credit: Getty Images.

With the series level at one each, India and Sri Lanka will throw in everything they have got to seal the last encounter. The momentum is with the hosts, after the huge 141 run victory in the second ODI. Rohit Sharma’s rampant form with the bat will be a major threat upfront for the Lions as they will hope to restrict the team to a low total. However, the Sri Lankans cannot be written off, and we have already seen an example of the same in the first ODI at Dharamshala.The bowling department is the key for Thisara Perera’s men with Suranga Lakmal their trump card. The bowler has proved to be the team’s most lethal weapon throughout the India tour and the island nation will bank on him majorly in the 3rd and final battle. Here is the Sri Lankan predicted XI for the third match:

Openers: Danushka Gunathilaka and Upul Tharanga

Upul Tharanga has regained his opening spot in this series after he had to move down to the middle order when India toured Sri Lanka in August this year. Tharanga’s 49 run knock in the first ODI at Dharamshala was key to Sri Lanka’s win as he helped steady the Sri Lankan ship.  Perera will bank on Tharanga’s experience up the order for a good start to the third ODI. Danushka Gunathalika has been among runs lately. He was the only batsman to put up a fight int he ODI series at home earlier this year and will pair up with the veteran to open the proceedings.

Middle Order: Lahiru Thirmane, Niroshan Dickwella, Asela Gunaratne

Lahiru Thirimane started with a duck in the ODI series against India while his 22-run knock became useless in the Sri Lankan run-chase in the 2nd ODI. Thirimane has not been in good touch but will probably get the last chance as Sri Lanka will possibly go for an unchanged side. Niroshan Dickwella will be a handy customer for Sri Lanka with his ability to score quick and crucial knocks. The wicket-keeper batsman is unpredictable and on his day is a useful customer on the field. Gunaratne returned from a finger fracture which he picked up against India earlier this year in August and got 30 runs to his name in the 2nd ODI, therefore retaining his spot.

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All-rounders: Angelo Mathews, Thisara Perera

India Vs Sri Lanka, Mohali, Rohit Sharma, Double-Hundred
Thisara Perera was the pick of the bowlers for Sir Lanka while walking away with three wickets. Photo Credit: Getty Images.

The Sri Lankan all-rounder bunch is a department they can boast of. In the name of the matured Angelo Mathews and Thisara Perera, they have two players who can change the course of the game. Mathews has been in sublime form with an impressive 111 run knock in the second ODI. The former skipper was also responsible in the 1st ODI where he combined beautifully with Dickwella to ride the team to a victory. A lot is expected from Thisara Perera with the captain’s armband on him. Perera’s power-hitting capabilities are always a massive threat lower down the order along with his slower ball which took the wicket of MS Dhoni n the second ODI.

Bowlers: Sachith Pathirana, Akila Dananjaya, Suranga Lakmal

Suranga Lakmal India Sri Lanka Dharamshala ODI
Suranga Lakmal took four wickets as he helped Sri Lanka beat India by seven wickets in Dharamshala ODI. Image Courtesy: BCCI

Suranga Lakmal will lead the Lankan pace attack as usual, and will be the man to look out for. The bowler’s tremendous performance in the first ODI rattled the Indian batting line up to the core. The skipper will bank on the seamer to repeat something similar tomorrow. Akila Dananjaya and Sachith Pathirana will act as support to the strike bowler as the Sri Lankans aim to finish the series 2-1 in their favour.

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