As Bangladesh and Sri Lanka face off in their 38th match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, more than pride is at stake. With a Champions Trophy qualification hanging in the balance, both teams, despite their struggles, aim to harness their potential and end their tournament stints on a high. Bangladesh seeks to halt a losing streak, while Sri Lanka aims to blend their sporadic brilliance with consistency.
Venue Insights
The Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi is known for its batting-friendly pitch, with a dry climate and short boundaries that favour high-scoring games. As matches progress, the arid pitch conditions tend to assist spin bowlers significantly. Teams winning the toss usually opt to bat first, aiming to post and then defend a substantial total. Historically, the average score for the first innings at this venue in ODIs stands at around 238.
Form Guide - Bangladesh
Bangladesh's form leading into their match against Sri Lanka is a string of defeats, marked by LLLLL, in their last five completed ODI matches. This string of losses is a sharp detour from their victorious performances at the start of 2021, where they had a commendable win record of 24 victories out of 39 ODIs. Their recent downturn, starting with a loss against Afghanistan, has extended to six consecutive defeats, including a loss to England, making them one of the teams with the poorest records in the current tournament.
Bangladesh's woes have been partly attributed to the disruption of their once-stable batting lineup. As they face Sri Lanka, they will be looking to recalibrate and regain lost momentum in hopes of finishing strong in a tournament that has seen them perform well below expectations, particularly given the conditions which seemed favourable initially.
Form Guide - Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka's recent ODI form has been inconsistent, reflected in their LLWWL, record in their last five matches. This fluctuating performance has been characteristic of the Sri Lankan side, which has shown flashes of brilliance interspersed with periods of underperformance. In the ongoing tournament, they have struggled to find their footing in the ODI format, appearing to transition from a T20 mindset. Head coach Chris Silverwood's call for aggression seemed to go unheeded, especially in the wake of Kusal Perera's exclusion in favour of Dimuth Karunaratne, which signalled a more conservative approach.
The team's off-field challenges, including disputes between Sri Lanka Cricket and the sports minister, as well as rumoured coaching and selection committee changes, have compounded the pressure. Despite these issues, they will aim to apply a positive mindset and aggressive play to overcome the Bangladesh team and end their campaign on a positive note.
Players to Watch
Mushfiqur Rahim
In the Bangladesh camp, all eyes will be on Mushfiqur Rahim, whose tournament trajectory has been a talking point. Starting at No. 6, where he scored 171 runs at an average of 28.50, Rahim has not mirrored the success he enjoyed over the past seven months in that position. The decision to revert him to No. 4, his traditional and more productive batting slot, is a strategic move by Bangladesh.
Rahim's prowess at No. 4 is evident: he has amassed 4,372 of his 7,577 ODI runs batting there, boasting an impressive average of 42.03 compared to his overall average of 36.78. His performance at six had been slightly better at 37.35, but Bangladesh's hopes are now pinned on Rahim's return to No. 4, anticipating a strong finish to their campaign.
Dilshan Madushanka
For Sri Lanka, Dilshan Madushanka stands out as the breakthrough star. The young pacer's performance has been a revelation, claiming 18 scalps in just seven games, marking him as the second-highest wicket-taker of the tournament. Madushanka has been consistent, save for a single wicketless game, achieving at least a two-wicket haul in the others, including an impressive five-for against a formidable Indian lineup.
This haul was particularly noteworthy as it outshone an attack that had skittled their opposition for a paltry 55 runs. At the tender age of 23, Madushanka’s list of dismissed batsmen reads like a who's who of cricketing elites, showcasing his potential to be a future great. Alongside him, the batting talents of Kusal Mendis and Sadeera Samarawickrama have been bright spots, hinting at a resilient future for Sri Lankan cricket.
Team Composition
For Bangladesh, adjustments made to the batting lineup in the Pakistan encounter are expected to be maintained. The reshuffling was a tactical move in response to previous performances and is likely to carry over into the upcoming games. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, may reconsider their opening combination. The potential reintroduction of Kusal Perera is on the cards after Dimuth Karunaratne's stint as an opener did not yield the desired results.
Furthermore, a strategic change might be in the offing with Dunith Wellalage possibly stepping in for Dushan Hemantha. This move would be aimed at bolstering the batting depth, suggesting a shift towards a more aggressive batting approach as Sri Lanka seeks to enhance their performance.
Pitch and Weather Report
During this World Cup, Kotla has witnessed record-breaking totals, with two of the highest scores made here, including Sri Lanka's surrender of 428 runs to South Africa. However, Delhi's deteriorating air quality has recently disrupted practice schedules for both teams, introducing a new level of uncertainty to the match proceedings. Whether the game will proceed as planned remains in limbo, subject to a last-minute decision on the day of the encounter based on the prevailing weather conditions.
Predicted Line-ups
Bangladesh (Probable): Shakib Al Hasan (capt), Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Mushfiqur Rahim (wk), Shoriful Islam, Mahmudullah, Litton Das, Mustafizur Rahman, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Tanzid Hasan, Taskin Ahmed, Towhid Hridoy.
Sri Lanka (Probable): Dushmantha Chameera, Angelo Mathews, Dilshan Madushanka, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Maheesh Theekshana, Charith Asalanka, Kusal Perera/Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Mendis (capt, wk), Pathum Nissanka, Kasun Rajitha, Dushan Hemantha.
Dream11 Prediction
Broadcast Details
Catch the live action of Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka in the World Cup 2023 on Star Sports Network and Disney+ Hotstar in India, Maharaja TV in Sri Lanka, and Gazi TV in Bangladesh. The match commences at 2 PM IST, with the toss at 1:30 PM IST. Sri Lankan fans can tune in at the same IST, while in Bangladesh, the game begins at 2:30 PM BST, catering to the local audience. Don't miss a moment of this exciting cricket encounter!
Conclusion
Despite underwhelming World Cup runs, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka's clash remains crucial. As they navigate Delhi's challenging conditions and off-field turmoil, the spotlight turns to Mushfiqur Rahim's return to form and Dilshan Madushanka's emerging talent. With strategic adjustments in play and top-order reshuffles, this encounter transcends mere World Cup points, promising a battle rich in narratives and a testament to their unwavering cricketing spirit.
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