The cricketing giants, India and Sri Lanka are all geared up to clash in the highly anticipated fourth match of the Super Four stage in the Asia Cup 2023. Fans are eagerly waiting for Tuesday, September 12, to witness this electrifying match at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
Team India is contemplating some bold moves for their lineup. While Shardul Thakur has been a preferred choice for bolstering the batting, a change is in the air with the potential return of the fearsome bowler, Mohammed Shami. His prowess with the new ball might just be the aggressive strategy the team needs. Additionally, the fitness of Shreyas Iyer is a cliffhanger – his potential return could mean some tough decisions for Rohit Sharma, especially given KL Rahul’s promising performance in the recent game against Pakistan.
On the other side, Sri Lanka hasn’t let a string of injuries dampen their spirits or their performance. Even with key players like Wanindu Hasaranga and Dushmantha Chameera sidelined due to injuries, the team has displayed a resilient front, remaining undefeated in the tournament. The stellar performances by Sadeera Samarawickrama and Kusal Mendis, paired with captain Dasun Shanaka’s efforts with the ball have been a beacon of hope. However, the spotlight is also on Dhananjaya de Silva, whose current form is seen as a potential weak link. Youngster Matheesha Pathirana is catching everyone’s eye with his extraordinary bowling performance, a skill honed during his stint with Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2023.
About the Pitch: As for the playground, the R Premadasa Stadium is known to offer some exciting opportunities for pacers, especially those who can exploit the new ball effectively. Spinners too will find their groove as the game unfolds. Newcomers at the crease might find big shots challenging, making it essential for established players to make the most of their time on the field. Given the weather forecast hints at possible rain, the toss-winning captain might choose to bowl first, adding an extra layer of strategy to the game.
Image Source – India Tv
Predicted Lineup:
India: The morale is high, with openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill shining bright in their previous match against Pakistan. While KL Rahul is expected to retain his spot, all eyes will be on Shreyas Iyer’s potential return.
- Probable Playing XI: Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj
Sri Lanka: Enjoying an undefeated streak, Sri Lanka appears set to stick with their winning combination, which saw them triumph over Bangladesh twice and Afghanistan once.
- Probable Playing XI: Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Mendis (wk), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dasun Shanaka (C), Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Kasun Rajitha, Matheesha Pathirana
Head-to-Head Record:
In the storied rivalry between these two cricketing powerhouses, they have faced each other on the field 165 times till now. India holds a noticeable edge with 96 victories to their name, while Sri Lanka has triumphed in 57 encounters. The two teams have been inseparable in one match which ended in a tie, and unfortunately, 11 matches couldn’t reach a conclusion, ending with no result.
Broadcast and Live Streaming Info:
- Date & Time: September 12, 3:00 PM IST
- Live Broadcast: Star Sports Network
- Live Streaming: Disney+ Hotstar App and website
Game Prediction: A nail-biting encounter is on the cards, with India likely securing a win against Sri Lanka.
