FANTASY
Follow UsAfter sealing the three-match T20I series 2-1, India have an opportunity now to focus on the real scheme of things – the ODI World Cup. Sri Lanka will definitely pose some trouble for the hosts, and have already in this tour showed that they were ready for a fight. For India, there are several selection calls to make, and the return of several key players makes it extremely cumbersome in that playing XI.
Ground Details and Team Combination
Only four international fixtures have been played at the Barasapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati, with only three completed. The last time these two sides played at the venue, it was a washed-out encounter. While India registered a thumping eight-wicket win, they defended a total successfully against South Africa in the other encounter that they have played at the venue.
If the pitch is similar to the one that was dished out in the fixture against South Africa, then expect a high-scoring thriller. The last ODI at the venue was in 2018, between West Indies and India, where India chased down 323 in 43 overs, thanks to a stunning partnership between Rohit Sharma (152) and Virat Kohli (140) taking them home without relative worries.
Considering all of that, it would be wise to include several batting options in the fantasy XI.
Suggested Team
While you could go for the above team, you can also choose your team from Cricket.com’s Fantasy Research Centre. You can use this tool to build your team with the help of algorithms. Then, based on your preferences, the platform will guide you through creating the ideal fantasy XI.
Captaincy suggestions
For small leagues: Shreyas Iyer (c), Pathum Nissanka (vc)
For grand leagues: Hardik Pandya (c), Wanindu Hasaranga (vc)
Stats that Matter
- Shreyas Iyer should be an indispensable part of the Indian setup, with 724 runs in the year 2022, averaging a staggering 55.69 while still maintaining a strike-rate of 91.5. Not just that, the right-hander has a solid record against spinners. If 2022 suggests anything, Iyer has an average of 64.6 against tweakers while taking the attack to them with a strike-rate of 98.48.
- India’s strike-rate in the powerplay throughout 2022 was quite questionable. In the powerplay overs, the Indian batters have struck at only 80.6, but have a very good average of 46.4, which reveals their approach early on in the innings, where they haven’t taken any risk, which has ultimately bit them back hard.
- India and Sri Lanka are two such bowling attacks who have always been reliant on their spinners from ages. Both of their spin attacks haven’t had the best last year with Sri Lankan spinners averaging 29.6 while India have fared at an average of 30.3. The series might well prove a point on who’s better.
Grand League Punts
- For most part of the year 2022, we saw Hardik Pandya, the enforcer, who can bounce the opposition. But for the first time in a long time, we saw Pandya the new-ball bowler in the recently concluded three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka. With India not having a fit Deepak Chahar, we can very well see a lot of Hardik with the new ball. Plus, the last time Hardik played in ODIs, he averaged 50 with the bat.
- Like him or not, Wanindu Hasaranga can not be ignored. The leg-spinner had a stinker in the second T20I, where India led by Axar Patel took advantage of some poor bowling. But this is Hasaranga, who has the ability to turn things around. In a format that is less demanding than the T20s, there is a strong chance that the leg-spinner could play a bigger role.
Top Criclytics Projections
Probable XIs
India XI: Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Hardik Pandya, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Mohammed Shami, Umran Malik, Kuldeep Yadav
Sri Lanka XI: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Dinesh Chandimal, Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka (c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Kasun Rajitha, Chamika Karunaratne, Jeffrey Vandersay/Dunith Wellalage
