3 things Sri Lanka need to do right to beat India in 3rd T20I
Team India are set to take on Sri Lanka in the third and final T20I of the series on Tuesday, July 30, at the Pallekele International Stadium. Although the Men in Blue have secured an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series, there is still a lot to play for, as both sides attempt to lay down the early framework for the roadmap towards the 2026 T20 World Cup.
Sri Lanka have remained competitive in the series so far to a degree, but have failed to capitalize on the occasions where they had the upper hand and momentum.
The Charith Asalanka-led side handed India a slight scare with their promising intent with the bat, cruising to comfortable starts in both matches. However, in the latter stages of the innings and with the ball, they have not been up to the mark, resulting in the scoreline being as it is.
Building on the positives from the first two matches, Sri Lanka can certainly make the most of the dead rubber clash. On that note, let us take a look at three things Sri Lanka need to do right to beat India in the third T20I.
#1 Middle order must step up and take the baton from the top order
A common theme emerged in both of Sri Lanka's losses in the series so far, which is the game-costing collapse with the bat in the latter half of the innings. The likes of Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis have carried on their form from the recently concluded Lanka Premier League (LPL) to set an excellent platform for the remaining batters.
Sri Lanka were placed at 140-1 after 14 overs and 130-2 after 15 overs in the first and the second T20I respectively. However, they went onto finish with only 170 and 161 in the end. The likes of Kamindu Mendis and Charith Asalanka have struggled with the task of maintaining the same tempo, and the issue extends to the lower middle-order, who have failed to finish the innings on a high.
Either the middle order must play in a more responsible fashion, or one of the top three, as the set batter, has to carry his bat for the entire innings.
#2 Increase batting depth
Sri Lanka have three bonafide pacers in Binura Fernando, Matheesha Pathirana, and Dilshan Madushanka in their side. So, having Dasun Shanaka as a pace-bowling all-rounder in subcontinent conditions does not hold much value. Furthermore, the former skipper is also struggling with the bat, with only one double-figure score in his last eight T20 innings.
With Sri Lanka looking to reinforce their middle-order, they can sacrifice an all-rounder for a pure batter. They have the likes of Dinesh Chandimal and Avishka Fernando waiting on the bench. The former brings experience and composure into the side, while the other brings red-hot form.
Avishka Fernando was one of the leading run-scorers in the 2024 LPL, feeling comfortable in his newfound role at No.4. He scored 374 runs in the tournament for the champions Jaffna Kings at a strike rate of 162.40.
The right-handed batter could prove to be the perfect link between the top and the middle order, resulting in Mendis and Asalanka being demoted one place each.
#3 Go spin heavy
India have been getting the most out of their spinners, especially in the middle and the death overs. Spinners have played a huge role in Sri Lanka's collapses in both matches, but Charith Asalanka has not been able to use his tweakers to maximum effect so far.
Sri Lanka did not have a chance to try out their bowlers in the second T20I since they only got to bowl 6.1 overs in the rain-curtailed contest. Barring Samson's wicket, Maheesh Theekshana has not had much to show for in the series. Sri Lanka did bring in Ramesh Mendis in Madushanka's place, but the right-arm off-spinner did not avail a chance to bowl.
There is also criticism surrounding Wanindu Hasaranga after he conceded 34 runs in two overs in the second T20I.
There is not much help for the pacers on the wicket, with no help with the new ball as well. As a result, Madushanka, whose biggest strength is swing, can be kept out to give Sri Lanka three frontline spinners. Dunith Wellalage can be considered for some extra variety in place of the misfiring Theekshana. However, that eliminated Sri Lanka's aspiration of having spin bowling in the powerplay.
Another realistic approach is for the skipper Charith Asalanka and Kamindu Mendis to chip in more with their part-time off-spin, much like how Riyan Parag has done for India.