Last Updated on 1 month by Charbel Coorey

SL vs IND 3rd ODI Dream11 Prediction Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | SL vs IND 3rd ODI Dream11 Prediction Today | Sri Lanka vs India 3rd ODI Key Players | Colombo Pitch Report

There are one of two ways to bounce back from heartbreak. One, you can be left feeling sorry for yourself, thus negatively affecting performance moving forward. Or, you can use it to spur you on to go one better and end the series on a positive note.

Indeed, that is the situation Sri Lanka find themselves in. With the likes of Shikhar Dhawan, Prithvi Shaw and Ishan Kishan in the syllabus, it was Deepak Chahar who was the unexpected question in the exam that the home side were unable to answer. Chahar produced a record-breaking 69* to lead India to an incredible victory, further extending Sri Lanka’s long wait for their next bilateral ODI series win against their subcontinent rivals since 1997.

However, while this series may be over, Sri Lanka’s desperation should remain. Only Zimbabwe sit below them in the ODI Super League points table, and if they wish to qualify directly into the 2023 World Cup, they need to start winning now. This is especially after they were docked a point for a slow over rate in the second ODI.

For India, it’s another chance for these players, and perhaps more new faces, to make a mark.

Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

Sri Lanka:

• Avishka Fernando remains key to Sri Lanka’s hopes. He has made two starts this series (33 and 50), but needs to show an ability to carry on with those starts.
• Like Fernando, Minod Bhanuka has got in then got out this series (scores of 27 and 36). Sri Lanka have had positive starts twice, but the key will be building on that.
• Charith Asalanka has been a bright spot for the home side this series. His 65 in the second ODI was compact and organised, following on from his 38 in the first ODI.
• All-rounders Dhananjaya de Silva and Wanindu Hasaranga will be key to Sri Lanka’s chances of avoiding a series cleansweep. Hasaranga was outstanding with the ball last game (3/37), and could be used against Prithvi Shaw early once again. Also, Dhananjaya de Silva dismissed Shaw in the first ODI.
• Chamika Karunaratne has been magnificent with the bat lower down the order. He has struck scores of 43* and 44* so far at a strike rate of 127.94.

India:

• Shikhar Dhawan will be required to hold the innings together for India. He was looking solid in the second ODI before getting out for 29. Dhawan has a superb overall ODI record vs Sri Lanka: 18 ODIs, 1,098 runs, avg. 73.20, SR 96.91.
• How will Prithvi Shaw counter Sri Lanka’s spin plans? There is no doubting his white-ball form this year (827 runs in eight matches at an unbelievable average of 165.40 in the 2021 Vijay Hazare Trophy), but India will be hoping he can overcome Sri Lanka’s spinners early in the innings. If he does, watch out.
• Suryakumar Yadav was in his usual classy element in the second ODI. He has looked outstanding in his debut ODI series so far (scores of 30* and 53), effortlessly striking at 131.25.
• Of course, millions won’t forget Deepak Chahar’s efforts in a hurry. Not only did he bat beautifully in the second ODI, but he showcased his terrific slower ball that has the potential to bag him more wickets. So far, he has four scalps in two matches this series.
• Yuzvendra Chahal is in fine wicket-taking form. He has the most wickets of any bowler so far this series (five), with 16 in eight ODI innings overall vs Sri Lanka (avg. 24.75, SR 30).

Stats and Facts

• Dushmantha Chameera is yet to take a wicket in four ODIs vs India (34 overs, 0/211).
• Sri Lanka have not won a bilateral ODI series vs India since 1997 (12 series since then).
• Yuzvendra Chahal needs three wickets to reach 100 in ODIs. If he achieves it in this game, he will join Jasprit Bumrah as the second-fastest Indian to the 100-wicket mark (57 ODIs).

Possible Playing 11

Kasun Rajitha is out with an injury. He will likely be replaced by Lahiru Kamara. Also, Sri Lanka could look to bring in Akila Dhananjaya for the expensive Lakshan Sandakan (18.4 overs, 2/124, econ. 6.64 this series).

Sri Lanka: 1. Avishka Fernando, 2. Minod Bhanuka (wk), 3. Bhanuka Rajapaksa, 4. Dhananjaya de Silva, 5. Charith Asalanka, 6. Dasun Shanaka (c), 7. Wanindu Hasaranga, 8. Chamika Karunaratne, 9. Dushmantha Chameera, 10. Akila Dananjaya, 11. Lahiru Kumara

India could look to experiment with the series won. They could look to rest Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and also bring in Sanju Samson for a game.

India: 1. Prithvi Shaw, 2. Shikhar Dhawan (c), 3. Ishan Kishan/Sanju Samson (wk), 4. Manish Pandey, 5. Suryakumar Yadav, 6. Hardik Pandya, 7. Krunal Pandya, 8. Deepak Chahar, 9. Navdeep Saini/Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 10. Kuldeep Yadav, 11. Yuzvendra Chahal

R Premadasa Stadium Colombo Pitch Report and Weather

The pitches have been good for batting for the most part, but there has been help for the spinners. Both teams could certainly look at bringing a spinner on in the powerplay overs to try pick up an early wicket or two on a ground that is traditionally good for batting. The average first innings score in the last nine ODIs on this ground is 295.67, with the team chasing winning five times.

Some rain is forecast in Colombo today, which could see interruptions throughout the match.

Dream11 Prediction

Option 1:

Option 2:

Match Prediction

Sri Lanka improved significantly in the second ODI. However, India’s depth and quality should see them prevail and win the series 3-0, weather permitting.