Twelve years after that unforgettable night in April 2011 when India won the Cricket World Cup, the two teams will meet again in Mumbai at the iconic Wankhede Stadium on Thursday (November 2), but this time the stakes are much lower.
While the previous World Cup final featured a clash of titans, the upcoming match is somewhat lopsided. India, pursuing their third title, has remained undefeated in six consecutive games, showcasing their champion-like qualities and an ability to make remarkable comebacks. In contrast, Sri Lanka's track record leans more toward losses than victories.
India's confidence is undeniable, bolstered by their self-belief and skills, evident in their resilience when faced with challenges, like Australia reducing them to 5/3 in Chennai or England restricting them to 229/9 in Lucknow. The tenacity they showed against England showcased their potential, raising the bar for opponents facing Rohit Sharma's team in this World Cup.
Forced into the team due to Hardik Pandya's absence, Mohammed Shami has been a valuable asset, taking nine wickets, including a fifer, in just two appearances. However, the team's strategists, led by Captain Rohit and Coach Rahul Dravid, recognise the need to preserve "Special Shami" for greater battles ahead, relying on a fresh and firing Jasprit Bumrah to navigate the remaining challenges in the league stage.
While Hardik Pandya's return status remains uncertain, there are concerns about the performance of India's young talents in the upcoming game. Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer, despite consistent performances in one-day cricket, have yet to make a significant impact in the tournament. Gill, who missed two initial games, has only managed one fifty since his return, often falling victim to "soft dismissals." The stage is set for him to regain his form.
With 1,334 runs in 24 matches, including five centuries and six fifties at an average of 63.52, Gill still has some ground to cover (560 runs) to catch up to the legendary Sachin Tendulkar's record for the most ODI runs in a year. Similarly, Iyer, who has only one fifty from six outings, needs to deliver a standout performance, especially in games where he had opportunities to score big but fell short.
Iyer's unbeaten 53 against Pakistan came when the opposition was struggling, but he also missed chances to make substantial contributions. Playing at Wankhede Stadium in a World Cup game on his home ground will provide extra motivation for Iyer and local talents like Rohit, Suryakumar Yadav, and Shardul Thakur.
Rohit Sharma, India's top run-scorer in the World Cup with 398 runs, an average of 66.33, one century, and two fifties, aspires to create more memorable moments with the bat in front of the passionate home crowd.
Sri Lanka, though not to be underestimated, have struggled more often than not in this World Cup after an impressive qualification round. Injuries and player unavailability have posed challenges for the team, but their young talents must make the most of facing high-quality opponents.
Sadeera Samarawickrama has been in fine form, accumulating 331 runs in six games, including a century and a fifty, making him Sri Lanka's leading run-scorer. Pathum Nissanka has also performed well, becoming the second batter after Gill to score over a thousand ODI runs this year. His four consecutive fifties in the World Cup showcases his potential, with a tally of 1,108 runs in 26 matches, including two centuries and nine fifties.
Despite the return of Angelo Mathews, Captain Kusal Mendis remains Sri Lanka's most accomplished batter, and he has already delivered match-winning performances. Sri Lanka's bowlers have done reasonably well despite the absence of experienced players. They aim to put up a fight against India's formidable batters in ideal batting conditions.
Squads:
India: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ishan Kishan (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, and Hardik Pandya.
Sri Lanka: Kusal Mendis (c&wk), Kusal Perera, Pathum Nissanka, Lahiru Kumara, Dimuth Karunaratne, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, Kasun Rajitha, Angelo Mathews, Dilshan Madushanka, Dushan Hemantha, Chamika Karunaratne.
(Powered by AI, Inputs by PTI)
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