Leading the way is Team India. They are comfortably atop the points table with 12 points after winning six of their first six matches in the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup. India still has three league games left, therefore their prospects of making the semi-finals suddenly seem nearly likely. On November 2, the Men in Blue will play Sri Lanka in Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium. The Lankan Lions are coming off a devastating loss to Afghanistan and haven’t had the best of campaigns. India will undoubtedly fancy their chances against them, especially considering that they recently defeated Sri Lanka.
Right now, Team India appears to be invincible and is on a roll. It’s not only about the victories; it’s about how they overcame all obstacles and difficulties put at them by their opponents, and how they did it with style. They are the only squad that seems to have everything under control and has made the most of having the home-field advantage.
The effort launched by Sri Lanka hasn’t gone as expected. They are now in sixth place after losing to Afghanistan in their previous game. Even worse, their current net run rate is a pitiful -0.275.
This team is loaded with winners of close games. Rohit Sharma, the captain, is leading the way. He was selected Player of the Match in the match against England for his incredible 87 off 101 balls. That guy, Virat Kohli, is not too far behind. Kohli still has 354 runs in the championship at an average of 88.50, despite being out of the game against England for a duck.
Although Shubman Gill’s World Cup campaign wasn’t particularly memorable, we still anticipate a strong performance from him given the flat batting deck.
This World Cup, India’s bowlers have been outstanding. Jasprit Bumrah has led the bowling attack brilliantly in this World Cup, taking 14 wickets at an economy of 3.91. He and Mohammed Shami, who has claimed nine wickets in just two games, have been instrumental in taking early wickets and applying extreme pressure to the opposition. In the middle overs, Kuldeep Yadav (10 wickets at 4.50) and Ravindra Jadeja (8 wickets at 3.75) have continued to apply pressure and claim wickets.
Their most productive batter in the competition, Sadeera Samarawickrama, has amassed 331 runs at an average of 82.75 in 6 innings. Kusal Mendis is another batter to keep an eye out for. Although he has struggled in the previous three games, this beautiful batting track should allow him to score a lot of runs. Pathum Nissanka, the opener, has also contributed to the runs and is anticipated to have a strong debut.
The inconsistency of Sri Lanka’s bowlers has cost them. Maheesh Theekshana’s 3 wickets at an average of 76 in 5 innings have not lived up to expectations. Dilshan Madushanka has been the only bowler to make an impression. The youthful fast bowler has taken 13 wickets at an average of 24.46 in 6 innings, ranking among the competition’s highest wicket-takers. Although Kasun Rajitha has been pricey, she has also been successful in taking wickets.
The team batting first has won both of the World Cup matches played at the Wankhede Stadium quite easily. Thus, it’s highly likely that in this match, the team that wins the toss would bat first.
Mumbai will have extremely warm daytime temperatures and muggy evenings.
The Wankhede Stadium’s pitch is a batting gem. After a few balls are played, batters can begin hitting through the line as the ball comes on to bat nicely. While spinners will receive some turns during the middle overs, fast bowlers won’t get much assistance in this situation.
IND vs SL Head-to-Head Stats of Last 5 Matches
India has won five of the last five One-Day Internationals (ODIs), while Sri Lanka won none.