Nidahas Trophy 2018: SL vs BAN - Sri Lanka's Predicted XI

Published - 16 Mar 2018, 03:22 PM | Updated - 22 Aug 2024, 11:50 PM

Sri Lankan cricketer Akila Dananjaya (C) celebrates with teammates after he dismissed unseen Indian batsman Shikhar Dhawan during the fourth Twenty20 (T20) international cricket match between India and Sri Lanka of the tri-nation Nidahas Trophy at The R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on March 12, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / ISHARA S. KODIKARA (Photo credit should read ISHARA S. KODIKARA/AFP/Getty Images)

Sri Lanka started the tournament on a high beating India, but since then has seen a dip in the performance. They lost to Bangladesh after posting 214 on the board and then went down to India in their last game.

With India already in the finals, the host will face Bangladesh later today in a must-win clash. The winner of this game will face India in Sunday’s final.

However, the Islanders has performed well so far in this series but made mistakes at crucial junctures of the game. The Islanders will have to bring their superlative game in front to outclass the Bangladesh side.

With the regular skipper missing out due to suspension, Sri Lanka is likely to field a same team from the last match.

Here is the predicted XI of Sri Lanka for the 6th game of the tournament:

Danushka Gunathilaka:

The southpaw can initiate fireworks at the start of the innings. However, he has failed to capitalise on the starts recently.

Sri Lanka will want to provide a quickfire start in a must-win clash against the Tigers.

Kusal Mendis:

Nidahas Trophy, Rohit Sharma, Mahmudullah Riyad, Dinesh Chandimal, Sri Lanka, 70th Independence

The right-handed opener has shown his ability in the ongoing series. Also, he scored a half-century against a quality Indian bowling attack, but it went in vain.

Kusal needs to continue his form at the top if the host wants to book a place in the final.

Kusal Perera (wk):

Kusal Perera

Perera is the find of the series for Sri Lanka. He has impressed everybody with his power hitting. Also, batting at one drop he has shown immense maturity to carry forward the Lankan innings.

Sri Lanka will want another superlative effort from the southpaw to make it to the final.

Upul Tharanga:

Upul Tharanga

Tharanga is the experienced batsman in the Sri Lankan line-up. He has got starts in this series but failed to capitalise on it.

Meanwhile, if Sri Lanka wants to go further, Tharanga needs to come good.

Thisara Perera (C):

Sri Lanka, Angelo Mathews, Bangladesh, Hamstring Injury,

The experienced all-rounder will lead the side in the absence of Dinesh Candimal. The star all-rounder has had a pretty average tournament according to his ability.

However, Perera needs to lead from the front if Sri Lanka needs a positive result.

Jeevan Mendis:

The leg-spinner also had a pretty average tournament so far. However, Sri Lanka wants more responsibility from the senior cricketer. Also, Mendis can score some useful runs down the order.

His all-round ability will prove to be crucial for Sri Lanka in the must-win game.

Dasun Shanaka:

The middle-order batsman can score quick runs down the order. Although he lacks consistency Shanaka can prove to be handy in this kind of must-win games.

Akila Dananjaya:

The mystery spinner was economical against India picking two wickets giving away only 19 runs. However, Dananjaya needs to bring his superlative form in the must-win fixture against Bangladesh.

Dananjaya needs to take control of the middle-overs if Sri Lanka wants to do good in the upcoming match.

Suranga Lakmal:

Suranga Lakmal India Sri Lanka 2017

The tall and lanky fast bowler is one of the best bowlers Sri Lanka has in their ranks. Although he went for runs against India, Sri Lanka will rely heavily on him.

Lakmal needs to stand up in this kind matches for his team.

Dusmantha Chameera:

Dushmantha Chameera, Rohit Sharma

Chameera is one of the successful bowlers for Sri Lanka of late. Although he went for runs against India, he can hurry the batsmen with his pace.

Sri Lanka will want to pick early wickets and provide his team with an edge.

Nuwan Pradeep:

(Photo credit should read ISHARA S. KODIKARA/AFP/Getty Images)

Pradeep has done well so far for Sri Lanka. Although he went for plenty, he picked the wicket of Suresh Raina.

Meanwhile, Pradeep needs to bring his experience in the front in this kind of important clash.

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