About the Match
We are moving towards the business end of the tournament and with three wins in three game, India are sitting comfortably at the helm of the table. On the contrary, Sri Lanka are reeling at the 3rd position from bottom with no win to their name. On 5th July, the two teams lock horns for same prize, but different reasons. For India, a win would strengthen their position at the top of the order whereas for Sri Lanka, it will keep them just alive in the tournament. Sri Lanka has always punched above their weight in ICC events and India will remember their loss to Sri Lanka in 2013 World Cup. It promises to be a thrilling encounter.
India
India have been exceptional so far in this competition. Primarily it has been their batting which has been phenomenal, but their bowlers too stepped up when it mattered.
Against England, Smriti Mandha and Punam Raut stitched together a brilliant century stand before the former was dislodged on personal score of 90. Mithali Raj joined hands with Punam Raut and propelled the total to 281.
In their second game against West Indies, the bowlers did well to restrict the Caribbean women for a sub-200 score which was chased comfortably with Mandhana once again being the pick of the batswomen.
India were put into bat by Pakistan in their last game. Their batting did not perform as per the expectations, but bowlers were terrific and folded Pakistan for just 74. Overall, India have done brilliantly in the tournament. Any team would have to play out of their skins to bit the Indian team in their current form.
Sri Lanka
Despite some brilliant individual performances, Sri Lanka haven’t really managed to get across the finishing line. It was the brilliance of Chamari Atapattu against Australia that propelled them to a fighting total, but bowlers failed to make any impression.
Sri Lanka have played good Cricket, but in patches. In their first match, their openers and Chamari Atapattu were brilliant, but the middle order failed to live up to the task and lost to New Zealand. In their second match, Australia chased down a fighting total with relative ease. In their third match, they got to a total of 204 runs, but bowlers failed to fight it out.
All in all, Sri Lanka can be dangerous side, provided their bowling does well. However, going by their current form, their bowling doesn’t look sharp at all. If they can improve their bowling and batsmen can play to their potential, we might see an upset here.
Our Prediction
It’s been different fate for the sides in the competition so far. India have shown brilliance, both individual and as a team whereas Sri Lanka haven’t done that consistently. This will be a chance for Sri Lanka to redeem themselves against their neighbors. However, going by their form and team on paper, India are favorites to win yet again
