India conclude their pretty dominant tour of Sri Lanka with a one-off T20 from Colombo on Wednesday. The tourists have won all three Tests and each of the five ODIs they have played on the island thus far and will be eyeing up a clean sweep here.
Sri Lanka have one last chance to salvage something resembling some pride in this match and we can expect them to be full on in this match as they look to build their reputation once again.
Sri Lanka
Unfortunately for the home side they saved probably their worst performances of the tour so far for the last two ODIs. That will have disappointed everyone involved with them because they had every chance of winning the second and third ODI and just when it looked like they were getting somewhere they regressed again.
That said they have a good record in this format in 2017 which can provide some confidence heading into the match. The fact that two squads were named for this one game is a concern and shows that their selectors no longer know who they can rely upon and trust and who they can’t. Their XI will be interesting here.
India
There hasn’t been too much that has not gone the way of India on this tour. They have batted with confidence and brutality and then they have been far too strong when they have had the ball in their hand. That is never a bad combination for any contest but one big over either way can sway these T20s so they will need to be at their best here.
India have not been the best in this format in 2017. Indeed considering they have the biggest domestic tournament in the world their form in the format for a while has flattered to deceive. I’m sure that is something they are aware of and if they are I am equally as sure it is something they will want to put right.
Team News
Second guessing the Sri Lankan side for this one is not easy. Milinda Siriwardena is said to be a doubt with Ashan Priyanjan called into the squad as back up for him but the rest of the side could be anything.
India are likely to recall the players who missed the end of the ODI series which means that Ajinkya Rahane and Shardul Thakur could be resigned to a place on the side once again.
R.Premadasa Stadium
This will be the 27th T20 international to be played on this ground. Sri Lanka have only played in 13 of them but they have a horrible record with two wins to 11 defeats. India have won five out of the six games they have played at this venue.
Scores here can be mixed. There are some high scores at this venue and then there are some lower ones but the wicket in the ODI was a good one and that should lead to high scores.
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Betting
I always hate betting on the last match of any tour because motivation must be taken on trust and that is never easy to predict or guarantee. You would think India would win this match but they are no price so I will head elsewhere for my bet in this match.
Considering he has just bagged a fluent 48 in the ODI on this ground the 19.5 run line for Upul Tharanga looks a touch on the low side. He has only played two T20s here but made it into the 20s on both occasions and as captain it is his job to set the tone. I think he can do that by going past 20 here.
Tips
Back U.Tharanga – Over 19.5 runs for a 4/10 stake at 1.83 with Ladbrokes
Back him here:
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