Big picture – situation in Delhi could be on Sri Lanka’s side
Sri Lanka could hardly have chosen a more formidable opponent than South Africa for their opening World Cup match.
The Sri Lankans come into this match with big question marks over their batting and a bowling attack weakened by injuries. South Africa, in contrast, look like a well-oiled machine prepared for the flat track this World Cup is expected to offer.
Fortunately for Sri Lanka, this match will be played in Delhi. On pitches that are usually slow and crumbly, Sri Lanka have decent bowlers.
In the last 15 matches, Sri Lanka have defeated their opponents in 14 matches. Indeed, the ease with which both Bangladesh and Afghanistan dismissed their opponents in the warm-up highlighted the challenges their bowlers will face, but it also highlights the challenges they will face in Delhi. did. Just do what you want.
form guide
South Africa WWWLL (Last 5 completed matches, most recent first)
Sri Lanka LWLWW
In the spotlight: Markram and Shikshana
There is no doubt that Klaasen is one of South Africa’s most exciting men of the moment, but those who have traveled alongside him are: Aiden Markramis in the midst of the best year of his ODI career. His 11 innings in 2023 so far has yielded 577 runs at 64.11 and a strike rate of 119.70, significantly better than his career figures of 35.42 and 96.35, with equally impressive performances in T20Is and Tests. ing. He has the ability and determination to manipulate the slower turners, which could be important for Delhi, especially in the middle overs where Sri Lanka throttle well with spin. Markram’s solid performance against Sri Lanka is a bonus, as they are second only to Australia among Test participating nations. Markram’s experience could be huge if the roads in Derry are suitable for turns.
maheesh teekshana They have only played one ODI against South Africa so far. This was his debut match, and he led Sri Lanka to a 78-run victory by hitting 4 of 37 shots. Since then, Teekshana has gone from strength to strength, especially as he becomes the linchpin of Sri Lanka’s attack in 2023, with him taking 31 wickets so far this year. Although he missed the Asia Cup final and Sri Lanka’s two warm-up matches due to a hamstring injury, Teekshana is healthy and fit and could provide just the edge Sri Lanka need.
team news
South Africa’s batting is mostly fine if everyone is fully fit, but there is a bit of uncertainty with the bowling. Maharaj is a shot in, but Phelkwayo could make way if Shamsi is selected as an additional spin option.
South Africa (probably XI): 1 Themba Bavuma (captain), 2 Quinton de Kock (week), 3 Rassie van der Dussen, 4 Aiden Markram, 5 Heinrich Klaasen, 6 David Miller, 7 Marco Jansen, 8 Gerard. Coetzee, 9 Andile Phelukwayo/Tabraiz Shamsi, 10 Keshav Maharaj, 11 Kagiso Rabada
Sri Lanka would have been sweating on the fitness of Perera, who appeared to have tweaked his shoulder in the warm-up match against Bangladesh, but there is optimism that Perera will be able to stay fit. If he misses out, Dimuth Karunaratne is likely to take the lead. Teshana is also expected to recover from a hamstring injury and return to action.
Sri Lanka (probably XI): 1 Kusal Perera, 2 Pathum Nissanka, 3 Kusal Mendis (Week), 4 Sadira Samarawickrama, 5 Charice Asaranka, 6 Dhananjaya de Silva, 7 Dasun Shanaka (captain), 8 Denis Wellerage , 9 Mahish Teksana, 10 Dilshan Madhushanka, 11 Rahil Kumara
pitch and conditions
Spin can be particularly useful in Delhi, unlike in other parts of India. Also, India is not traditionally a high-scoring venue. He has scored over 300 in ODIs only twice, the last time being in 2011. The weather is expected to be hot and humid. The maximum temperature is around 37 degrees, so hitting first may be the key.
statistics and trivia
- The last time Sri Lanka played in Delhi in 2009, the match was abandoned due to dangerous road conditions.
Quote
Themba Bavuma Helping players perform well under pressure