After two back-to-back see-saw battles between the two sides, India and Sri Lanka will play the ultimate match of the three-match T20I series on Saturday, at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot.
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Sri Lankan skipper Dasun Shanaka continued to impress with the bat against the hosts in the format, as his quick fire unbeaten 56* (22) paved way for his side’s 16-run victory during the second T20I in Pune.
In what was a high-scoring contest, team India had lost four of their top-6 batters at scores of single digits, and were well on course of a one-sided defeat. However, Suryakumar Yadav (51 off 36), Axar Patel (65 off 31), and Shivam Mavi (26 off 15) were determined to not go down without a fight, and at a couple of points in time did threaten to take the game away from the Lankans as well.
But, with 21 runs needed off the last Over, skipper Shanaka decided to take the ball in his hand, and gave away mere four runs while scalping two wickets as well.
A warm and traditional welcome in Rajkot as #TeamIndia arrive for the third and final T20I, which will take place tomorrow! 💪🏾 #INDvSL pic.twitter.com/6Z7IOGO0BS
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 6, 2023
Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium pitch report
Akin the previous T20I, the third match of the series at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Rajkot promises to be a absolute run-fest as well.
Set to host a T20I after seven months, the Rajkot pitch has hosted a total of four shortest format international fixtures till date, with 180 runs being the average total posted by teams across these matches batting first.
Needless to say, the pitch is nothing short of a graveyard for the bowlers and one should expect their fate to remain the same come Saturday.
Moreover, relatively smaller boundary dimensions coupled with a lightening quick outfield will provide the batters with an ideal condition suited for their stroke play.
With the death bowling of both the sides a matter of concern, expect the batters to decide the outcome of the series.
