The ODI series between Sri Lanka and India comes to a close on Sunday when the two sides meet for the fifth and final time. India have long since landed the spoils and will go in search of a whitewash at Colombo while Sri Lanka will be looking to spare their own blushes.
Sri Lanka
Not only will Sri Lanka be playing to avoid a whitewash but they also have to start thinking about their chances of making sure they automatically qualify for the next World Cup. With West Indies about to begin an ODI series with England, if this match doesn’t go well for them and Windies produce something special Sri Lanka could have to qualify for the 2019 event.
If they are going to win a match here they have to find a way to put up some significant runs against this Indian bowling attack. In fairness to them they have bowled a lot better than I expected them to do, with the exception of the previous match of course. If they can find a consistent innings they might get something out of this.
India
It has all been pretty serene for India throughout this entire tour. On the few occasions that they have been in any strife they have found a way out of it and then when they have managed to get on top they have rarely let their opponents back into the game. This is fast becoming a very ruthless side.
They have always been good with the bat in fairness. It is with the ball where they have really improved and they are now favourites to win in almost every series that they play. There is a T20 to come after this so they will want to continue their momentum heading into that one. They will seek the whitewash.
Team News
Sri Lanka captain Upul Tharanga is back for this match which will be a relief. He will bat in the middle order. Danushka Gunathilaka has been ruled out of the match with an injury.
Shikhar Dhawan is going to miss this match because of a family issue back home which he has gone to attend to. Ajinkya Rahane is likely to come in for him in what could be India’s only change.
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Betting
I don’t think it is wise to bet on the outcome of this match with the motivation of both sides being questionable at the end of what has been a very one-sided series so I will head to the side markets for a bet.
That comes in the sixes where we saw 11 in the first match on this ground and I see no reason why with little at stake we are not going to see a load more in this one. Both sides have shown they can clear what are largely small boundaries for this part of the world. We need eight for the overs to be covered here and that looks well within range.
Tips
Back 8 or more sixes for a 4/10 stake at 1.83 with Bet365
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