India vs Sri Lanka 3rd ODI at Cuttack – India eye to take lead in the series on flat wicket at Barabati Stadium

With M.S.Dhoni is already out of two ODI’s, Indian team not only have batting worries now but also they have to improve in all department of the game if they would like to take the lead in the on going ODI Series against Sri Lanka. Virendra Sehwag the new leader knows he has plenty of work in his hand in the absence of M.S.Dhoni when his team will meet Sri Lanka at Barabati Stadium,Cuttack.

On the other hand Sri Lanka is suffering from major set back with now Angelo Mathews ruling out for the rest of the series, with Thissara Perera flying in to take his place, and it's still uncertain whether Lasith Malinga will be risked after missing the first two games.

Yuvraj Singh who missed the first two ODI’s is most likely to fit and will most probably play in the crucial encounter against Sri Lanka in 3^rd ODI. The return of Yuvraj Singh not only strengthens their batting but also provide more option for the captain Virendra Sehwag.

However the main concern for India is their fielding and because of this they have lost Nagpur T20I as well as one day internationals. The number of catches dropped has gone into double-figures, and the ground-fielding was equally dismal in the last game.

With the series leveled at 1-1, both teams will be keen to take the lead in the series to get their hand closer to the Karbon Mobile Cup. Indian team in the last game didn’t got flying start and that’s why they were short by 20-30 runs in the end at Nagpur. Sehwag and Tendulkar are in good form will be much expected from both to deliver for the team in critical situations like this.

Watch out for

Yuvraj Singh: After winning the game for India in T20I at Mohali, he is out of action from last two ODI’s. However with Dhoni out of action he will be the key man in the middle order of the Indian batting lineup.

T.Dilshan: Back to back century in two matches is enough to give headaches for the newly appointed Captain Virendra Sehwag. He is in prime form and if he continues to play like what he did in Rajkot and Nagpur, Sri Lanka will sure to take the lead by 2-1.

Pitch & Condition

The pitch at Barabati Stadium, Cuttack is expected to be another high scoring game. The curator of Pitch already indicated that the wicket will be more or less similar to the one used for the first ODI’s at Rajkot. In such scenario team winning the toss is likely to bat first and put scores on the board to put enough pressure on the chasing team.

Teams

M.S.Dhoni who will be serving two match banned will be replaced by Dinesh Karthik and Virat Kohli is likely to make a way for stylish left-hander Yuvraj Singh. Ishant Sharma is also likely to get a game in place of Praveen Kumar who hasn’t done well on a wicket which provides less movement and support for his bowling style.

Sri Lanka on the other hand has hit by injuries to some of their key players and that will be worrying sign for the Sri Lankan’s. However L.Malinga who missed the first two one day internationals is likely to get a game with Nuwan Kulasekara.

Likely Playing XI for both Teams (Match is Schedule to begin at 14:30 PMIndia Time)

India Squad: V.Sehwag (Captain), S.Tendulkar, G.Gambhir, Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, D.Karthik (WK), Ravinder Jadeja, H.Singh, Z.khan, A.Nehra, Ishant Sharma.

Sri Lanka Squad: Tillakaratne Dilshan, Upul Tharanga, Kumar Sangakkara (Captain & WK), Mahela Jayawardene, T.Kandamby, Sanath Jayasuriya, Suraj Randiv, Nuwan Kulasekara, Ajantha Mendis, Nuwan Kulasekara, Chanaka Welegedara.

Stats & Trivia

Barabati Stadium has been a lucky venue for India who have won eight and lost four matches here so far with one game abandoned due to rain.