Coming back to the Wankhede 12 years after the thrilling finale in which MS Dhoni clinched the victory, India will be the clear favourites going into the match.
Digital Desk: Hosts India will face Asian rivals Sri Lanka in a repeat of the 2011 championship match in an attempt to extend their winning streak to seven games at the ICC World Cup 2023 on Thursday. After crushing the defending champions England by 100 runs, the two-time champions have arrived in Mumbai. A struggling Sri Lankan team will be fighting for their survival as Rohit Sharma's India are predicted to be the first team to reach the World Cup 2023 semifinals at the legendary Wankhede Stadium.
Coming back to the Wankhede 12 years after the thrilling finale in which MS Dhoni clinched the victory, India will be the clear favourites going into the match.
In the One Day International (ODI) World Cup round-robin phase, Australia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, New Zealand, and England have been defeated by the Virat Kohli-starrer Indian team led by Rohit. India is now ranked second in the standings following South Africa's decisive victory over New Zealand on Wednesday.
Hardik Pandya, an all-rounder, will not play against Sri Lanka Rohit's deputy is unavailable for selection against Sri Lanka. The all-rounder Pandya suffered an ankle injury during India's match against Bangladesh, missing the next two World Cup matches. India, who have won their last six matches, is predicted to start the World Cup encounter against the 1996 champions with the same lineup.
India has defeated Sri Lanka 98 times overall, compared to the one-time World Cup winners' 57 victories. Eleven games have concluded with no outcome, and one encounter between the Asian heavyweights ended in a draw. Under the guidance of Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews' Sri Lanka must end a two-match losing streak.
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With India, veteran Mathews has a strong track record. Against India, he has scored all three of his hundreds. When facing the Men in Blue, the superstar from Sri Lanka had an average of 53.57 and a strike rate of 84.93. It's interesting to note that in ODIs, Mathews has dismissed India captain Rohit seven times. Against Sri Lanka, the Indian captain has struck at a strike rate of 58.85 and averaged 14.71. Star batter can equal the world record held by Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar by smashing his 49th century in the 50-over format.
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