We have opted for a fantasy cricket team based on the recent performances, overall impact, and credit points.
Pitch Report
15 of 26 wickets have been taken by the pacers at the Pallekele International Stadium in the series. The pitch gets easier to bat on as the innings progresses.
Teams
Probable XI for Sri Lanka: Hasini Perera, Chamari Athapaththu (c), Vishmi Gunaratne, Harshitha Madavi, Kavisha Dilhari, Nilakshi de Silva, Anushka Sanjeewani (wk), Oshadi Ranasinghe, Ama Kanchana, Inoka Ranaweera, Achini Kulasuriya
Probable XI for India: Shafali Verma, Smriti Mandhana, Yastika Bhatia (wk), Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Harleen Deol, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh, Pooja Vastrakar, Renuka Singh, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Meghna Singh
Power Players
Smriti Mandhana registered her fifth fifty in the 12th ODI against Sri Lanka. She made batting look easier than it was by remaining unbeaten on 94 off 83. Her form in the format in 2022 has been scintillating: four fifties and a hundred in 11 games.
After failing to convert her good start (35) in the opening encounter, Shafali Verma controlled her aggression and scored 71* off as many balls on Monday. With 106 runs, she is the highest run-scorer of the series.
Renuka Singh’s four-wicket haul fetched her the Player of the Match award. A match before, she had taken a three-for. The emerging pacer has turned into India’s new strike bowler.
Smart Picks
Had it not been for Nilakshi de Silva’s responsible approach in the middle overs, Sri Lanka would have been in further trouble. She has scored 43 and 32, mostly dealing with running between the wickets than hitting boundaries. Against a potent and disciplined bowling attack, the experienced batter has remained composed.
After her game-changing four-for in the first encounter, Inoka Ranaweera went wicketless. The Indian openers counterattacked before the Sri Lankan spinner could find any momentum.
Chamari Athapaththu’s performance has been hot and cold with the bat, but her off-breaks keep the fantasy players interested. Her only three-for came against India. She provides points in one way or the other. Her scores since the T20I series read 16, 43, 80*, 2 and 27.
The same is the case with Harmanpreet Kaur. Her all-round skills make her a popular pick. Although she couldn’t contribute much in the last game, she collected the most fantasy points with 44 runs and a wicket in the opening ODI.
Amana Kanchana’s inclusion in the second game kept Sri Lanka in the hunt. Although she batted at a strike rate of 56 and hit only two boundaries en route to her 47*, the knock helped her team survive for 50 overs—a silver lining.
Deepti Sharma, the Player of the Match in the first ODI, ended up with figures of 2 for 20. She will continue to be India’s finisher. Against Sri Lanka, she has taken 21 wickets at 13 and has the highest score of 78.
Among the wicketkeepers, Anushka Sanjeewani has provided two more fantasy points than Yastika Bhatia. Although Yastika has scored only 1 run in the only innings she has batted, her three catches, two run-outs, and a stumping have kept her neck and neck in fantasy cricket.
Match Preview
India have already sealed the series 2-0. Given they have won both games chasing, they will look to bat first and test their defending skills. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, have fought tooth and nail with the bat but have lacked teeth in the bowling department. They seem to get demoralised once the opposition launches an onslaught.
Time: July 7, 10 AM IST