ICC World Cup 2023 Match 33, IND vs SL | Who Will Win?

image-lofnxu3xShubman Gill and Rohit Sharma in a frame (AP Photo)

In the 33rd match of the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023, Sri Lanka will face the undefeated India on November 2 in Mumbai. This venue holds significance as the last time these teams clashed in the ODI World Cup at this ground, India famously won the 2011 edition of the tournament.


Team Analysis

India

image-lofnyhgzBumrah's form has been India's biggest strength (AP Photo)

India stand alone as the sole unbeaten team in this World Cup, reinforcing their pre-tournament favourites status. Their success extends beyond mere victories, showcasing their ability to overcome various challenges and opposition obstacles with remarkable poise. 

The Men in Blue appears to have all facets of the game covered and has adeptly leveraged their home advantage. In the first five games, India's prowess as a formidable chasing team was evident. During the initial match against England, India was tasked with batting first on a sluggish Lucknow wicket, where they posted a subpar total of 230. However, the bowlers came to the team's rescue once again. The resurgence of Mohammed Shami has been a revelation, amassing nine wickets in just two games, further fortifying the already potent Indian bowling attack.


Sri Lanka

image-lofhwa3lSri Lankan players celebrating (x.com)

Despite registering only two wins in their initial six matches, Sri Lanka remains in contention for a semifinal spot. Their recent significant setback was a seven-wicket loss against Afghanistan, and they have encountered challenges in their last five ODI encounters against India, including a humiliating 10-wicket defeat in the Asia Cup final in September. 

Initially, Sri Lanka's batting was a prominent asset during the first two matches of the tournament. However, their bowling became a cause for concern, and in the recent phase, their batting has faltered. There's a notable overreliance on the trio of Pathun Nissaka, Sadeera Samarawickrama, and skipper Kusal Mendis. The lack of contributions from other batters is a prevalent issue, and facing India, it's imperative for their entire batting lineup to perform well.


IND vs SL: Who will Win

India aims to become the first team to secure a spot in the semifinals as they prepare to take on a Sri Lankan team facing a series of challenges. 

The odds are heavily stacked against Sri Lanka, particularly in a small ground like Mumbai, where favorable conditions for batters and the red soil wicket are anticipated to aid the Indian bowlers. 

Sri Lankan players will need to exceed their usual performance levels to win this high-profile clash. While Sri Lanka has the potential to surprise on any given day, India's form and their demonstrated ability to overcome adversity render them a formidable opponent. 

It's our view that India should secure this contest and extend their winning streak to seven in the World Cup 2023 campaign.