India vs Sri Lanka 2017: All to play for in 3rd ODI as series hangs in the balance

"It is a good opportunity to win the series. Not many teams have won series in India. We want to do something special like we did in Dharamsala. If we can repeat that performance, we will win." Thisara Perera, the Sri Lankan captain for the current three-match ODI series sounded confident ahead of the 2nd ODI at Mohali. But he had little idea of what was to transpire.

Rohit Sharma courtesy his unbeaten 208-run knock threw cold water on Sri Lanka’s dreams of a series win. The third ODI to be played in Visakhapatnam on Sunday will be the decider as the series hangs in the balance.

The Indian batting line-up would be oozing with confidence after their heroic display in Mohali. The opening pair of Shikhar Dhawan and Sharma is expected to get India off to a flying start yet again. Young gun Shreyas Iyer who looked in good nick in the 2nd ODI must have gained a lot of confidence after his knock of 88. He will be looking forward to making full use of his opportunities in the upcoming matches.

Sri Lanka, on the other hand, were jolted in the 2nd ODI after a dream start at Dharamsala. The Sri Lankan bowlers failed to execute their plans with Thisara Perera and Nuwan Pradeep conceding more than 10 runs per over. The Lankans will attempt to resurrect themselves and take the attack to the opposition on Sunday.

Expected Changes

Despite putting up a horrific bowling show in Mohali, Sri Lanka are expected to go in with an unchanged XI. However, if they decide to make a change, except their no 3. Lahiru Thirimanne to make way for the centurion from the Delhi Test, Dhananjaya de Silva. Angelo Mathews, who was Sri Lanka’s sole shining light at Mohali, has recovered from cramps and has been declared fit for the 3rd ODI.

India are unlikely to make any changes to the side that battered the Lankans in the second ODI. Kuldeep Yadav is an outside bet to replace off-spinner Washington Sundar who made his debut in the 2nd ODI.

Head to Head

With a win percentage of over 56%, India have clearly dominated the Lankans in ODIs.

At home, India's win percentage against Sri Lanka goes up to a staggering 70% in ODIs.

Probable Indian XI: Rohit Sharma (c), Shikhar Dhawan, Shreyas Iyer, Dinesh Karthik, Manish Pandey, MS Dhoni (wk), Hardik Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Yuzvendra Chahal.

Probable Sri Lankan XI: Thisara Perera (c), Danushka Gunathilaka, Upul Tharanga, Dhananjaya de Silva, Angelo Mathews, Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Asela Gunaratne, Sachith Pathirana, Suranga Lakmal, Akila Dananjaya, Nuwan Pradeep.

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