In the thrilling ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, Team India stands as a formidable force, having secured victory in all six of their matches.
With a dominant position atop the points table, boasting 12 points to their name, Indian squads are in a solid position to advance to the semi-finals.
As they prepare to take on Sri Lanka at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on November 2, the odds seem to favor India, given their recent track record against the Lankan Lions.
Team India’s journey in this World Cup has been nothing short of spectacular. They’ve defied the challenges, proving their mettle by adapting to various situations. With their well-rounded team, India has masterfully taken advantage of playing on home turf.
In their recent encounter against England, India posted a modest total of 229-9 in Lucknow. However, their bowlers stepped up magnificently, exploiting the pitch conditions to secure a resounding 100-run victory.
Leading the charge for Team India is none other than their illustrious captain, Rohit Sharma. His Player of the Match performance against England, featuring a remarkable 87 runs from 101 balls, has elevated him to the status of the team’s leading run-scorer.
Virat Kohli, while experiencing a recent dismissal for a duck, has been a consistent force throughout the competition, amassing 354 runs at an impressive average of 88.50.
The Indian bowling unit has been on fire, with Jasprit Bumrah leading the attack, taking 14 wickets at an economical rate of 3.91. His partnership with Mohammed Shami, who has claimed 9 wickets in just two matches, ensures that India secures early breakthroughs.
The spin duo of Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja has maintained the pressure in the middle overs, with 10 and 8 wickets, respectively. Although the pitch may not favor them greatly, their knack for picking crucial wickets remains a valuable asset.
On the other hand, Sri Lanka’s World Cup journey has been fraught with challenges. Their recent loss to Afghanistan has dropped them to the sixth spot.
Injuries to key players have affected their campaign, and their performances have been inconsistent, except for a memorable match against England.
Sadeera Samarawickrama emerges as Sri Lanka’s most successful batter, accumulating 331 runs at an average of 82.75. His consistent form is expected to continue on the batting-friendly surface.
Kusal Mendis has the opportunity to play his strokes freely on this pitch, potentially delivering a significant score. Opener Pathum Nissanka has been among the runs and is anticipated to provide a solid start.
Sri Lanka’s bowlers have struggled for consistency, due to the absence of a settled combination caused by injuries.
However, young fast bowler Dilshan Madushanka has been a standout performer, taking 13 wickets. Kasun Rajitha, despite being somewhat expensive, has also managed to pick up wickets.
IND vs SL Probable XI
India: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj
Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Mendis (c & wk), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Angelo Mathews, Maheesh Theekshana, Kasun Rajitha, Dushmantha Chameera, Dilshan Madushanka
