India vs Sri Lanka 2021, 3rd T20I preview: Stage set for epic finale

After twin thrilling Twenty20 Internationals, the stage is set for the epic finale. India and Sri Lanka would lock horns in the third and final T20I at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Thursday.

Although India does not possess the senior team on this tour, it is formidable enough and has given the Lankans a tough time. Meanwhile, Lanka is not at its best as well, while the young talents are making a case for themselves, as we present the preview of this enthraling clash.

Injury concerns
While the Lankans don't have any injury concerns, India has plenty. All-rounder Krunal Pandya is COVID-positive, while a total of eight players have been put in isolation. Also, pacer Navdeep Saini had injured his shoulder in the second game and looks doubtful for Thursday.

Team composition
The Indian squad is primarily batting heavy. However, judging by the current scenario, it is somewhat bowling heavy, as evidenced by the low-scoring tie on Wednesday. As for Lanka, it too is bowling heavy and would look to exploit the depleted Indian batting order.

Head-to-head
As for the head-on clashes, in 21 T20Is, India leads 14-6. For the matches held in Sri Lanka, India leads 5-2 of the five games, while all those matches have been held in Colombo to date.

Weather and pitch report
As for the weather in Colombo, it would be partly cloudy, with an expected temperature of about 29 degrees, while the humidity is expected to be around 79%. The pitch is likely to play slow, as winning the toss and batting is ideal. However, chasing would not be a wrong choice either.

Probable XI
India: Shikhar Dhawan (c), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Devdutt Padikkal, Sanju Samson (wk), Nitish Rana, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Kuldeep Yadav, Rahul Chahar, Chetan Sakariya and Varun Chakravarthy.
Lanka: Avishka Fernando, Minod Bhanuka (wk), Dhananjaya de Silva, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Dasun Shanaka (c), Ramesh Mendis, Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Isuru Udana, Akila Dananjaya and Dushmantha Chameera.

Fantasy XI
Batsmen: Dhawan (vc), Yadav, Asalanka, Gaikwad- Dhawan and Gaikwad would be giving the perfect start, while Suryakumar would dominate at number three. Meanwhile, Asalanka is sure to consolidate in the middle-order, as Dhawan's reliability makes him the deputy skipper.
Wicketkeepers: Samson, Bhanuka- Samson is a T20 specialist and is a no-brainer, while Bhanuka has been impressive in the two games and should fire in this tie as well.
All-rounders: de Silva, Hasaranga- De Silva has been rocking with the bat, as he was the match-winner on Wednesday, making him a must-have, while Hasaranga's effective spin bowling makes him a no-brainer too and the skipper for this clash.
Bowlers: Bhuvneshwar, Chameera, Dananjaya- Seamer Bhuvneshwar is the man in form and would headline the pace department. Similarly, Chameera would do the same for Lanka, being effective in the series so far, while Dananjaya has been troubling the Indian batsmen of late.

Match details
Date and day: July 29 2021 (Thursday)
Venue: R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
Time: 8 PM (IST)
Where to watch (TV): Sony Ten, Sony Six, Sony Ten 3 and Sony Ten 4 (Also available in HD, along with regional languages)
Where to watch (Online): Sony LIV

 
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