Colombo weather forecast today: What are the chances of rain during IND vs SL 3rd ODI?
With the series on the line, Team India will square off against Sri Lanka in the third and final ODI at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Wednesday, August 7. After a tie in the first game, Sri Lanka thrashed the Men in Blue by 32 runs in the last outing to gain an unassailable 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
India have struggled with their batting in the ODI series, as they failed to chase down 240 runs in the last fixture. Openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill gave the team a good start, adding 97 runs within 14 overs, but the rest of the batters, barring Axar Patel, failed to keep the momentum going. The all-rounder waged a lone battle, scoring 44 runs, but lacked support from his teammates.
The visitors were eventually bundled out for 208 runs in 42.2 overs. Rohit and company need to come out as a better batting unit, as they look to avoid a series defeat against Sri Lanka. If the hosts win the series, it would be their first against India since 1997.
With both teams desperate for a win, a grueling encounter beckons fans in Colombo today, and fans are expected to turn up in huge numbers.
However, the weather conditions in Colombo look gloomy. According to Accuweather, there are chances of thunderstorms during the first two-three hours of the game. It will likely clear up after that and a smooth second half of the game is on the cards.
The temperature will hover between 29 and 31 degrees Celsius during the game. However, due to high humidity, the actual feeling would be around 34 degrees Celsius.
"It is just a matter of finding a way in their own individual ways" - Washington Sundar on Indian batters struggling against spin
Indian batters have come under the scanner after their poor display against Sri Lanka spinners in the second ODI. The Men in Blue were bamboozled by leg spinner Jeffrey Vandersay, who returned with figures of 6/33.
When quizzed about the same ahead of the third ODI, Washington Sundar said they are proven players of spin and it is just about getting the job done on that particular day.
Addressing reporters ahead of the final game of the tour, Washington said (via Cricbuzz):
"Honestly, we are quality players of spin. We always played in these kinds of wickets even at home even in tests and in domestic cricket as well on such wickets. We know a lot of our players have done well in the middle-order especially batting against spin as well. It is just a matter of finding a way in their own individual ways and trying to get the job done."
Can India bounce back and level the series tonight? Let us know in the comments.