India vs Sri Lanka – 3rd ODI - Micromax Cup - Match Preview
India and Sri Lanka will contest the 3rd ODI of the Micromax Cup of 2012, today at the Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
This will be the first time that a game of the series will be played in Colombo. Prior to this, both games were played at Hambantota. India won the first game by 21 runs in a nail biting finish but Sri Lanka bounced back in the second, with a thumping
9-wicket win. Both games were in stark contrast, with India smashing 300 plus runs in the first game and Sri Lanka managing to create significant inroads into Indian batting in the second.
Under the spotlight is batsman Rohit Sharma, where Indian skipper http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Manoj-Tiwary-c1890 play for the first time in the series. The 26-year-old has played just six ODI games for his country prior
to his possible inclusion in the third ODI. On the other hand, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/RG-Sharma-c2309’s dismal batting performance has come into the limelight as he has just averaged 17.33 in his last ten ODI’s for his country. This fact along with the importance of winning the next
game for the visitors, are issues which the Indian management confront.
“It is something that we need to decide, make a conscious attempt to be honest to yourself and not commit any harm to any other player.”
Sri Lanka on the other hand, head into this game after comprehensively beating their Asian neighbors in the second ODI. The spotlight will be once again be on Thisara Perera after he decimated the Indian batting line up by snapping three wickets for
just 19 runs which also included three successive wicket maidens.
Sri Lankan skipper http://www.senore.com/Cricket/AD-Mathews-c913 to be the key players for his side for Saturday’s game.
"The other experienced bowlers I had were Thisara and Angelo, so I just gave him the ball because the other day he bowled well from that end and did the job for us."
The pitch conditions at the Premadasa are bound to suit the batsmen. The side winning the toss should definitely opt to bat first, to take advantage of the dew factor which normally tends to come into play under lights. Scattered showers are expected
for Saturday with the maximum temperatures reaching 30C.
Possibilities of rain might cloud prospects for play on Saturday, yet clear skies are expected for most part of the afternoon. Totals in the region of 250 plus are considered to be a minimum for the side batting first to gain any chance of victory
at the Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
Both sides will be aiming to extend their lead in the five match series after clinching a win a piece in the first two games. India has a phenomenal record against Sri Lanka at the venue where they have managed 6 wins out of 9 games. Out of the three
games that http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750, they have won by batting first and defending their totals by deploying spin.
The toss, would thus be crucial for both sides aiming to gain an upperhand in the series. Scores of 250 plus are considered to be winning totals.
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