The last time Sri Lanka clinched a series victory against India was in December 1997, when they secured a 3-0 win at home under the captaincy of Arjuna Ranatunga. Despite missing the chance to win the current series, India must ensure they do not let it slip away. With the series on the line, the team should make minor adjustments to avoid a historic defeat.
1. Top Order Needs to Set the Tone
Team India has been strong in the powerplay overs, with captain Rohit Sharma playing aggressively. Sharma, who has scored two fifties in two games, has embraced the role of the aggressor effectively. However, Shubman Gill, still on a steep learning curve, has areas to improve. The vice-captain has managed scores of 16 and 35, but hasn't provided solid support at the other end. Additionally, Virat Kohli, who has an excellent record on this surface with four centuries, needs to step up and deliver a strong performance in the crucial match. 2. Cautious Yet Aggressive Approach Needed from the Middle Order
India's middle order has been a concern, struggling with patience against Sri Lanka's spinners, which has contributed to their poor performance. The team's experimentation with the middle order hasn't been successful so far. A potential solution could be bringing in Riyan Parag to replace Shivam Dube, who hasn't made a significant impact. Additionally, replacing wicketkeeper KL Rahul with Rishabh Pant could add the necessary aggression to the middle order.
3. Bolster the Bowling Attack
While the Indian bowling attack has challenged Sri Lanka's top-order batters, it has struggled to finish the job, leaking too many runs, especially to lower-order batsmen. To address this, Khaleel Ahmed could replace Arshdeep Singh, who conceded too many runs and went wicketless in the second ODI. It's crucial for the bowlers to focus on disciplined variations in line and length to avoid giving away easy runs.
