Preview: SL v Ind – 5th ODI
First Published : 03 Aug 2012, 17:11
Last Modified : 03 Aug 2012, 17:11
What
The fifth and final ODI of the five-match series between Sri Lanka and India
When
August 4, 2012. The game begins at 14:30 IST.
Where
Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy. Built for the 2011 ICC ODI World Cup, Pallekele is yet to host the Indians in any format of the game. The hosts may have played four ODI games here, but their 1-1 record against Pakistan in the recently concluded series suggests they’re still finding their bearings at the ground.
The Teams
With the series in the bag, the Indians may opt to try out a few different things. Umesh Yadav could be brought back into the side. With the New Zealand Test series up next, India would want him to be in peak condition from the start. A similar case could be made for Pragyan Ojha or Rahul Sharma ahead of the already established R Ashwin.
The hosts, on the other hand, are playing for pride. Lasith Malinga has disappointed in this series with just five wickets to show after 35.3 overs of bowling. The top order, barring the injured Kumar Sangakkara, hasn’t done particularly well. With Mahela Jayawardene and Sangakkara nearing the end of their careers, it is important that the youngsters – Lahiru Thirimanne, Dinesh Chandimal and Chamara Kapugedera (yet to play a game) – make an emphatic statement in this final ODI.
Key Players
As good as Virat Kohli has been for India in this series, Suresh Raina has been just as important. Three half-centuries from four innings, all three in winning causes, prove Raina’s credentials as a lower-order bat.
Earlier in the series, Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene had called Dinesh Chandimal Lanka’s long-term No. 4. With 47 runs from four innings, the 22-year-old Chandimal has a lot to prove.
Trivia
India – With 13 ODI hundreds against his name, Virat Kohli also enjoys the best innings-per-hundred ratio for an Indian batsman who has scored more than 10 ODI centuries. Kohli’s 13 centuries in 86 innings (6.61 innings per century) is way better than second-placed Sachin Tendulkar, whose 49 centuries have come in 452 innings (9.22 innings per century).
Sri Lanka – Tillakaratne Dilshan clearly enjoys playing at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. In four innings at this venue, Dilshan averages 99.00 runs with 297 runs from four innings (once not out). He is the leading run-getter among all batsmen who have played here.
Venue Stats
India – played – 0, won – 0, lost – 0, tied – 0, no result – 0
Sri Lanka – played – 4, won – 2, lost – 2, tied – 0, no result – 0
Highest total in an innings: Sri Lanka 327/6 in 50.0 overs v Zimbabwe – March 10, 2011
Lowest total in an innings: Zimbabwe 188 in 39.0 overs v Sri Lanka – March 10, 2011
Best individual score in an innings: Tillakaratne Dilshan (Sri Lanka) – 144 v Zimbabwe – March 10, 2011
Best bowling figures in an innings: Mitchell Johnson (Australia) – 10.0-1-31-6 v Sri Lanka – August 10, 2011
Head-to-head
|
Matches |
Played |
Ind won |
SL won |
Tied |
No result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Overall |
138 |
74 |
52 |
1 |
11 |
|
In Sri Lanka |
55 |
22 |
27 |
0 |
6 |
|
At Kandy |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Form guide in ODIs (most recent listed first)
India: Won, Won, Lost, Won, Won (4 wins, 1 loss)
Sri Lanka: Lost, Lost, Won, Lost, Won (3 losses, 2 wins)
The Squads
India: MS Dhoni (c & wk), Virat Kohli, Gautam Gambhir, Suresh Raina, Virender Sehwag, Rohit Sharma, R Ashwin, Pragyan Ojha, Zaheer Khan, Umesh Yadav, Ashok Dinda, Irfan Pathan, Ajinkya Rahane, Manoj Tiwary and Rahul Sharma
Sri Lanka: Mahela Jayawardene (capt), Angelo Mathews (vice-capt), Tillakaratne Dilshan, Upul Tharanga, Dinesh Chandimal (wk), Thisara Perera, Lahiru Thirimanne, Lasith Malinga, Chamara Kapugedera, Rangana Herath, Sachithra Senanayake, Jeevan Mendis, Isuru Udana and Nuwan Pradeep
All stats are as on August 3, 2012
