Sri Lanka vs India
India is already in the Cricket World Cup semi-final, but when the Blues take on Sri Lanka at Headingley on Saturday there will be no slowing down.
It’s the final match of the group stages for India and the Lions, and while there is nothing really at stake for Chandika Hathurusinghe’s Sri Lanka, for India it could mean the semi-final of choice. Should Ravi Shastri’s men win this game they could finish first, if Australia loses to South Africa.
That outcome would mean India would more than likely meet an out-of-sorts New Zealand in the semi-final, leaving the Aussies to face a rejuvenated and determined England side.
The weather looks set fair in West Yorkshire and I can’t really see anything other than an India win. The latest odds tend to agree; with the favourites at 1.14 and Sri Lanka at 4.57, so we need to be creative with our SBOBET tips and Sri Lanka vs India predictions to find the best value.
Talking Points
India or England for the Title?
Throughout 2019 as cricket fans around the world looked forward to the World Cup, England fans were keeping a keen watch on India during a warm-up with New Zealand, another of the top four sides. And as the tournament has unfolded India has emerged as the biggest threat to England’s dream of lifting the trophy on home soil.
Apologies to Australia; but those two teams have been a cut above the rest over the last 12 months, and each has several match-winners. The super talented India side, led by the excellent Virat Kohli, has provided more than its fair share of Cricket World Cup 2019 highlights, losing only one game, and that against England last Sunday.
As India tried to chase down the hosts’ challenging total the big-hitting Rohit Sharma was in outstanding form, and while Virat Kohli stayed with him a victorious run chase was on the cards. After having been badly dropped at slip by Joe Root early in his innings, Sharma went on to put the England attack to the sword and score a superb century.
Kohli was imperious in constructing his half century, stroking the ball through the covers with ease. When the India skipper is in full flow there is no more beautiful sight in world cricket.
In Jasprit Bumrah India has the best ODI bowler in the world and, alongside New Zealand’s Trent Boult, he is one of the finest death bowlers in the business, with a devastating range of pace and length to wrap up any innings. India will be keen to keep their momentum going and I think Bumrah will lead a bowling attack which is far too strong for Sri Lanka. And with Vijay Shankar injured there could be a place for all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, probably the best fielder in the competition.
Sri Lanka not quite there
Three wins and three defeats have left the Lions thinking what might have been, having stayed in the running until losing to already-eliminated South Africa.
This is undoubtedly a period of rebuilding in Sri Lankan cricket, the selectors having wielded the axe before the Lions test series with South Africa, with test captain Dinesh Chandimal dropped.
But the Lions have had some notable high points over the last three weeks, narrowly beating West Indies last time out and shocking England earlier in the competition.
Dimuth Karunaratne led his team to the high scoring victory against the Windies thanks to a sparkling century from 21-year-old batsman Avishka Fernando. After smashing 104 from 103 balls for his first ODI international ton, the young right-hander said: “When I went in I was very happy that I did what was required. I’m very happy to get a hundred in a win. All I focus on is taking this forward and developing my game.”
The Lions will hope for a lot more from Fernando. But they are still seeing plenty from one of their old stagers. Lasith Malinga is leading the Sri Lanka bowling attack with 12 wickets from the last five matches, and still has one of the most wicked Yorkers in cricket.
History
India has won 18 of the 25 meetings since 2015, with Sri Lanka triumphing in five, and there have been two ties.
India has won the last five clashes, all by big margins, and I expect the Blues to make it six in some style.
Betting Tip
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Sri Lanka vs India | Most Match Sixes- Asian Handicap, India -1.00 @1.85 |
| July 16, 17:30 (GMT+8) |
It would be a major shock if India was to lose a second game in three and at 1.48 looks a near certainty to score the most sixes, with Sri Lanka at 3.00.
Sri Lanka is at odds of 2.01 with one six start, but with Rohit Sharma hitting form, if he stays at the crease for over an hour he could hit the most sixes on his own!
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR ( ) BETS ARE WORTH: |
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|---|---|---|---|
| = €20 (Highly confident) |
 = €10 (CONFIDENT) |
= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT) |
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Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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