Team India will enter the ground for the final ODI on Wednesday aiming to level the series. Rohit Sharma and his men lost the second ODI on Sunday by 32 runs while chasing 241 runs to win. The men in blue yet again were done in by spin as they lost ten wickets for 111 runs.
With the exception of Rohit Sharma and Axar Patel none of the players put up a strong fight with the bat. Gautam Gambhir and his coaching management will be concerned at the chinks in the armour shown by the visiting side during the chase.
One could witness a few changes to the Indian side if they want to end the series on level pegging. A few out-of-form players could make their way to the bench for the third and final ODI match on Wednesday, which will be played in Colombo.
Here is the likely Indian XI for the final match versus Sri Lanka
Openers – Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill
Team India haven’t had much problem with the batting at the top of the order. Shubman Gill has been sedate with the bat and played the perfect foil to Rohit Sharma so far. Rohit Sharma on the other hand has been punishing the bowlers and already scored two successive fifties for the side. The Indian skipper will hope he can post a huge score on the board if he gets going on Wednesday.
Middle-order – Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, and Rishabh Pant
Former Indian skipper Virat Kohli hasn’t been able to get going during the series in one of his favorite grounds. The form shown by the veteran India star will start to concern the team management as well. Shreyas Iyer who has been India’s best batter against spin has failed in two games and will look to bounce back to form. KL Rahul’s lack of runs could also pave the way for Rishabh Pant to make a return to the ODI side.
All-rounders – Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, and Riyan Parag
Axar Patel has been a huge cog in the wheel for India with the bat and ball. the 30-year-old has been economical with the ball and is scoring useful runs for India in the middle-order. Washington Sundar was the best bowler for India during the second where he picked 3 wickets and has been troubling the hosts with his spin and bounce. The lack of form shown by Shivam Dube with the bat could also mean that Riyan Parag could make his ODI debut on Wednesday.
Bowlers – Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, and Harshit Rana
Left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav will be expected to keep his place in the playing XI after his brilliant bowling form so far. The pace department will yet again be led by Mohammed Siraj as he has been Rohit Sharma’s most trusted aide. Arshdeep Singh could be given a rest and this would mean that Harshit Rana gets his first taste of international cricket.
India’s Likely XI for the third ODI versus Sri Lanka
Rohit Sharma (Captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant (WK), Axar Patel, Riyan Parag, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Harshit Rana, and Mohammed Siraj.
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