Pallekele : India will fancy their chances of wrapping up the five-match series when they lock horns with a beleaguered Sri Lanka in the third ODI here tomorrow.
The visitors have a 2-0 lead in the series and can wrap up the contest with another win here before leaving for the last leg of the tour in Colombo. The two-day gap between the second and third ODI will help Men in Blue take the winning momentum forward. The big question is: Will skipper Virat Kohli continue with his bold approach in devising team strategy, if not team selection? Ahead of the second ODI, he had outlined the need to give ample opportunites to the youngsters in the side, particularly the bowlers. As such, it is only to be expected that Axar Patel and Yuzvendra Chahal will continue to be the frontline spinners. However, the complication in the 231-run chase in the second ODI occurred due to a shuffle in the batting order. The mini-experiment failed spectacularly, mostly because India could not read Akila Dananjay’s googlies properly. Hardik Pandya’s availability for the third ODI remains in doubt. Even if cramped yet fully fit, will he be risked given the extended limited-overs schedule India have until December? India could field an unchanged combination but there are bound to be further changes in the Sri Lankan playing XI. Upul Tharanga has been handed a two-match suspension for slow over-rate for the second time since the Champions Trophy in June, and he will sit out the next two ODIs. Dinesh Chandimal, included in the Lankan squad, is expected to fill up Tharanga’s No. 4 spot. Chamara Kapugedara will lead the side as he was given the responsibility of vice-captain in the first two matches. There will also be an additional change as Lahiru Thirimanne is expected to open with Niroshan Dickwella, after Danushka Gunathilaka injured his shoulder whilst fielding in the second ODI.