ICC Champions Trophy semi-final: India vs Sri Lanka – Sri Lanka Preview

Following the hard-fought group stage matches in this year’s Champions Trophy, it’s time now for the big ones as we gear up for the second semifinal between India and Sri Lanka at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff today. England won the first semifinal convincingly against the Proteas, and the team which wins today will go on to face England at Edgbaston, Birmingham on the 23rd. Sri Lanka started on a losing note in the tournament but came back well, winning their next two matches in the group stage. They are fresh from a well-fought victory over Australia in their last match, and will be pretty confident going into the match. India, on the other hand, have arguably looked the best side in the tournament. They won all three of their group stage matches in a dominating fashion, and will be riding high on confidence too.

The Sri Lankan batting has very much revolved around the three stalwarts in the side- Kumara Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene and Tilakaratne Dilshan. Mahela Jayawardene showed his importance in the side with a classy 84* in the last match against Australia. Sangakkara has been the backbone of their batting with the scores of 68 and 134* in two of the three matches they played so far. Dilshan, however, has come up with some 30s and 40s, but Sri Lanka will need him to score big at the top in a crunch game like this. Lahiru Thirimanne’s defiant fifty in the last game will make the team management feel good about their middle order as well. The likes of Angelo Mathews and Dinesh Chandimal are very capable of playing some blinders, and India will be wary of them.

Lasith Malinga has led their bowling very well and is their highest wicket-taker in the tournament so far. Nuwan Kulasekara has complimented Malinga very well, especially with his impressive shows with the new ball. Angelo Mathews has not bowled as much as he usually does for some unknown reasons. Shaminda Eranga has been wayward and disappointing. It will be interesting to see if they continue to persist with him against a mighty Indian batting line-up. Rangana Herath will continue to be their lone spinner today as well.

Conditions:

A fresh track has been laid here at Sophia Gardens for the semifinal and the curators feel that it will be a good wicket to bat on. It might also assist the bowlers a bit due to its freshness. However, according to the curators, a score of 280 would be a par score on this pitch. The rain gods might again play spoilsport as suggested by the weather forecasts. In case the match is washed out, India will make it to the final being their group toppers.

Key Players:

Mahela Jayawardene- This amazingly talented right-hander showed glimpses of returning to form with a match winning 84* against Australia. His reputation of being a big match player makes him a key player for today’s game. The fact that this stylish batsman has also been phenomenal against India in the past adds more to his advantage.

Lasith Malinga- There is no choice but to consider him as a big threat by the opposition. This bowler with a slinging action has the ability to bowl some toe-crushers at will, and is easily the best death overs bowler in the world currently. He has not been that effective against India, but then, he is the bowler who can win the match for Sri Lanka single-handedly on his day.

Sri Lanka’s strategy:

They should look to bat first upon winning the toss, especially considering the fact that most games here were won by the team batting first. India have a strong batting order and the only way Sri Lankans can put some pressure on them is by making them to chase a huge total. However, with the rain threat looming, batting second is also not a bad idea considering that D/L might come into play later in the game.

Head-to-head:

The teams have met only twice in the ICC Champions Trophy before in 2002, with both the games being washed out.

Probable XI:

They have been persisting with Eranga so far. But they might sit the medium-pacer out today as he has been rather expensive in the tournament. The rest of the team is expected to be the same.

Angelo Mathews (capt), Dinesh Chandimal (vice-capt), Tilakaratne Dilshan, Kusal Perera (wk), Kumara Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Thisara Perera/Sachitra Senanayeke, Lahiru Thirimanne, Lasith Malinga, Rangana Herath and Nuwan Kulasekara.