ICC World Cup 2019 Match 44, India v Sri Lanka: Preview, likely XIs, predictions

The equation is simple: to avoid being second (and play England in the 2019 World Cup semi-final), India need to beat Sri Lanka and back South Africa to beat Australia later in the day. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, will hope to win this to finish fifth in what may be Lasith Malinga‘s last ODI appearance.

India have chased only twice in this tournament. They were pushed hard by South Africa – one of the weaker teams this time – in the first, and lost, for the only time in the league phase so far, against England. While they have been the better side, they need to prove their mettle while chasing. And for that to happen, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli need their teammates to rise to the challenge.

However, they have faced little challenge while defending targets. Their bowling attack, led by Jasprit Bumrah, boosted by the sudden rise of Mohammed Shami, and generally supported by their wrist-spin twins, has been one of the most potent of the tournament. They may want to bat first if they win the toss, but it may not be a bad idea to challenge their batsmen, especially their middle order, against a target.

Sri Lanka’s wins – against Afghanistan, West Indies, and more significantly, England – have also come while defending. Malinga, their leading wicket-taker, has put up a stellar performance in all three matches in what is definitely his first World Cup. He has found support from all the others at some point, but not on a consistent basis.

Dimuth Karunaratne and Kusal Perera have contributed at the top in their contrasting styles, and Avishka Fernando has been a real find at No. 3. Angelo Mathews has shown glimpses of his class in patches as well. Given his general fitness, this may be his last World Cup as well, and he will undoubtedly want to leave on a high.

Head to head

India hold a 90-56 lead here from a staggering 158 matches played between the teams. In the current decade the lead goes up to 27-12.

Sri Lanka, however, hold the lead (4-3) in World Cup cricket including a 1-1 in England (they won in 1979 but lost in 1999). India won the last encounter, in the 2011 final.

India have a 5-2 lead on English soil, but Sri Lanka had won the last match here – by 7 wickets at The Oval in the 2017 Champions Trophy.

Key players

Rohit Sharma (India): Rohit’s four hundreds are the joint most in a single edition of the World Cup, while his five hundreds are the second most in World Cup history. Already the leading run-scorer in the tournament, Rohit will be the most important batsman in India’s remaining matches despite the presence of Virat Kohli.

Lasith Malinga (Sri Lanka): Ten of Malinga’s 12 wickets this time have come in the three matches Sri Lanka have won. This time, however, he will be up against his Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma. It will be an interesting contest, to say the least. Oh, and Malinga is one wicket away from becoming the third-highest wicket-taker in World Cup history.

Likely XIs

India: Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Virat Kohli (c), Rishabh Pant, MS Dhoni (wk), Hardik Pandya, Kedar Jadhav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Yuzvendra Chahal.

Sri Lanka: Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Kusal Perera (wk), Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Lahiru Thirimanne, Isuru Udana, Dhananjaya de Silva, Jeffrey Vandersay, Kasun Rajitha, Lasith Malinga.

Prediction

India to ruin Malinga’s farewell.