Sri Lanka will take on South Africa in their tournament opener today October 7th in the Capital city of India at Arun Jaitley Cricket Stadium. Both teams want to appear on the points table to start the tournament high. South Africa is high on confidence after beating Australia in their home series just before the World Cup 2023 in India. Sri Lanka is the finalist of the Asia Cup 2023. It will be an exciting game of cricket where both teams want to open their account on the big stage.
The Sri Lanka Playing 11 Against South Africa
Dasun Shanaka (c), Kusal Mendis (vc), Kusal Perera, Pathum Nissanka, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, Matheesha Pathirana, Dilshan Madushanka
Asian teams in subcontinent conditions will go with one strategy, spin, spin, and spin. And that’s the reason that Sri Lanka will go with Dhananjaya de Silva, Maheesh Theekshana, and Dunith Wellalage. Three quality spinners along with a decent pace attack can destroy the South African batting lineup.
SA playing 11 Against Sri Lanka
Temba Bavuma (c), Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Rassie van der Dussen
This is the predicted playing XI South Africa vs Sri Lanka in their opener of the mega event. The team looks balanced and in good touch too. Their victory against Australia has given them a lot of confidence.
South African team has some powerful hitters in the likes of Quinton de Kock, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, and Rassie van der Dussen. All of them have the ability to win matches single-handedly on their day. So the batting lineup is looking promising.
Heinrich Klaasen will be the key player for subcontinent conditions as he plays the spin very well. His ability to pick the length of a ball is exceptional. He is a powerful batter who knows how to use a long handle.
Keshav Maharaj and Tabriz Shamsi are the two main spinners along with Aiden Markram will Sri Lankan batter a tough time. Rabada and Ngidi have to bowl well in order to create issues for the batters.
Sri Lanka vs South Africa Playing Conditions
Arun Jaitley Cricket Stadium offers plenty to batters but it always has something for bowlers too. Spinners will enjoy the surface. Early on there will be moisture in the surface as it is a day match. So, the team winning the toss may go for the chase.
