India vs Sri Lanka 2017: 5 factors which could determine the 3rd ODI
After India bounced back to thrash Sri Lanka by 141 runs in the second ODI at Mohali, the series is beautifully poised for a thrilling finale in Vizag on Sunday, December 17.
It was a show of character from the Indian team as they put behind the drubbing received in Dharamsala. Led by their captain, Rohit Sharma, the hosts got back to dominating ways.
However, Sri Lanka too need to believe that they can put up a more resilient fight on Sunday and clinch the series, which will be a massive boost for the team, especially after a horrendous year in coloured clothing.
Here in this slider, we take a look at five factors which might determine the result of the third ODI in Vizag.
#5 Conversion of starts
India piled up 392 runs in Mohali primarily because their top three players stepped up and did not squander a good start, kicking on to compile significant scores.
Shikhar Dhawan looked in the groove right from the outset and his 67-ball 68 set the perfect base for the second wicket partnership between Shreyas Iyer and Rohit Sharma.
Iyer, who looked out of sorts in his debut game in Dharamsala, played a crucial and impressive innings of 88 and stitched a match-defining partnership of 213 runs with his skipper.
And then there was Rohit Sharma who took his time and then never got out as he caressed, bludgeoned and smoked his way to a record-breaking 208 runs.
However, barring Angelo Mathews, who scored a valiant century, none of the other Sri Lankan batsmen converted their starts and this hit the visitors hard.
Thus, both sets of batsmen need to identify the fact that once they get in, they have to carry the team to a substantial score.