India vs Sri Lanka Match Prediction: Who will win today's 3rd T20I match?
The two India-Sri Lanka T20Is so far have seen similar patterns unfold. The Sri Lankan openers have gotten their team off to a good start, with the middle order unraveling. In contrast, Suryakumar Yadav has managed to capitalize on Yashasvi Jaiswal's pyrotechnics at the top of the order.
Matheesha Pathirana has had too much on his plate, with Wanindu Hasaranga bowling some threatening deliveries with only one wicket each to show for. India, meanwhile, have been relatively issue-free in the bowling department. In both matches, the hosts have threatened briefly at the start of the second innings before falling comfortably short.
Heading into the third T20I, to be played on Tuesday, July 30, India and Sri Lanka might ring in a few changes, causing new patterns to emerge. The final match of the tour at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, the third T20I promises to be an exciting affair despite the series having already been decided.
India, the defending T20 World Cup champions, are going through a period of transition under a new captain and a new coach, with a few members of the old guard stepping down. Sri Lanka are in a comparable situation, with new players coming through and attempting to gel amid the changes.
Can the Men in Blue complete a whitewash and give their bench players some time in the middle? Or will the hosts restore some respectability to the series scoreline?
IND vs SL 2024: India the favorites despite possibility of rotation
Two factors could make India struggle in the third T20I. One is that they are likely to ring in a few changes, not just in their XI but in their batting order as well. This would be to ensure that everyone gets enough of an opportunity to perform their primary skill. The other is rain.
Rain has hovered around Pallekele over the last two days, and similar to how it affected the second T20I, it could have a say on Tuesday as well. India benefited from a revised total on Sunday, but things can become unpredictable when the overs are reduced.
That said, though, the Men in Blue will still be the favorites for this encounter. Their batting has fired on all cylinders, and while the middle-order batters haven't looked to be in great touch barring Suryakumar Yadav, they have done enough. The bowlers, meanwhile, have gone through the motions without much difficulty.
Sri Lanka, on the other hand, are grappling with an underperforming middle order. Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis and Kusal Perera have managed to set a platform in both matches, and despite flashes of promise from Kamindu Mendis, the more experienced names haven't stepped up. Even in the bowling department, the Lankan Lions have been overly dependent on Pathirana and Hasaranga.
The fact that India won't be hell-bent on maximizing their chances of getting a result will play into Sri Lanka's hands, but it's hard to see them triumph even then. While it's possible, it's less probable than an Indian whitewash.
Prediction: India to win the 3rd T20I vs Sri Lanka.