India vs Sri Lanka 2017: 5 factors which could determine the 3rd ODI

After India bounced back to thrash Sri Lanka by 141 runs in the second ODI at Mohali, the series is beautifully poised for a thrilling finale in Vizag on Sunday, December 17.

It was a show of character from the Indian team as they put behind the drubbing received in Dharamsala. Led by their captain, Rohit Sharma, the hosts got back to dominating ways.

However, Sri Lanka too need to believe that they can put up a more resilient fight on Sunday and clinch the series, which will be a massive boost for the team, especially after a horrendous year in coloured clothing.

Here in this slider, we take a look at five factors which might determine the result of the third ODI in Vizag.

#5 Conversion of starts

India piled up 392 runs in Mohali primarily because their top three players stepped up and did not squander a good start, kicking on to compile significant scores.

Shikhar Dhawan looked in the groove right from the outset and his 67-ball 68 set the perfect base for the second wicket partnership between Shreyas Iyer and Rohit Sharma.

Iyer, who looked out of sorts in his debut game in Dharamsala, played a crucial and impressive innings of 88 and stitched a match-defining partnership of 213 runs with his skipper.

And then there was Rohit Sharma who took his time and then never got out as he caressed, bludgeoned and smoked his way to a record-breaking 208 runs.

However, barring Angelo Mathews, who scored a valiant century, none of the other Sri Lankan batsmen converted their starts and this hit the visitors hard.

Thus, both sets of batsmen need to identify the fact that once they get in, they have to carry the team to a substantial score.

#4 Making the new ball count

Lakmal will have to step up for Sri Lanka

Dharamsala was a peculiar surface in the current context of ODI cricket as it offered a lot of assistance to the fast bowlers, which was the reason behind the misery heaped on the batsmen.

Mohali too had assistance for the seam bowlers, but the Sri Lankan bowlers were nowhere near as effective and this cost them, dear.

Come Vizag, the team which bowls first will have to take advantage of the new ball as the first 10 overs could possibly determine the outcome of the match.

Also, the ball starts seaming around under lights in Vishakhapatnam and hence the onus will once again be with the seam bowlers.

#3 The middle overs

Wickets are key in the middle overs

The second powerplay, which extends from the 10th over to the 40th over, might seem a mundane phase, but this is where games are won or lost.

For the batting team, not losing wickets is imperative and gradually enhancing the run rate is crucial as this sets them up perfectly for the final onslaught in the final 10 overs.

For the bowlers, this phase is equally, if not more, important. If the bowlers do not pick up wickets, this allows the batsmen to play to the gallery in the final phase. However, frequent wickets in this phase not only disturbs the momentum, but also makes sure that there are always new batsmen at the crease which can only bode well for the fielding side in the final overs.

#2 The importance of fielding

Fielding is very crucial

Although Sri Lanka conceded 392 runs in the second ODI, their ground fielding and catching were first class.

Similarly, the Indian team, despite defending the aforementioned score, never took their foot off the pedal and put in a spirited performance on the field.

Hence, it goes without saying that in Vizag, when the series will be on the line, the fielding of both sides will be extremely crucial and it could well be the difference at the end of the day.

#1 Impact of the top order

A huge role to play at the top

India folded in Dharamsala for a paltry 112 primarily because their top order was blown away. Also, the fact that they amassed 392 runs in Mohali was because the first two partnerships were worth 328 runs.

Sri Lanka, on the other hand, did not have a good start and were reduced to 3 for 62, which snuffed out any chances for them to pose even the slightest challenge to India's total.

It might sound jarring and very obvious, but the success of the top order in limited overs cricket goes a long way in determining the success of the team.