IND vs SL, 3rd T20I: Fantasy suggestions

Sri Lanka won the second T20I convincingly [Source: AP]

On Saturday, India will take on Sri Lanka in the final T20I of the three-match series in Rajkot. As both teams gear up for a fitting finale, let's analyse and find out the best possible combination for your fantasy team. 

Point to remember

• Rajkot has always been a high-scoring venue. The track offers slight assistance to spinners. However, the new ball bowlers won't find anything substantial at the venue. So, it will be beneficial to keep 7-8 batting options and three pure bowlers (particularly who use cutters and scrambled-seam deliveries) in your team for this match. 

Hot picks

Suryakumar Yadav: Regarded as India's Mr 360 degree, Suryakumar Yadav played a fabulous knock in the last T20I, hammering 51 runs off 36 balls. He will enjoy batting at this ground and is expected to play another impactful inning tonight. 

Dasun Shanaka: The Sri Lankan captain has been the difference between the two sides in the series so far. His blistering 22-ball 56* powered the visitors to a mammoth total in the game, eventually helping them restore parity in the series. 

Axar Patel: The veteran all-rounder smashed a flamboyant fifty in the second T20I. Also, he has a good bowling record at the venue in the IPL, scalping six wickets at an impressive economy of just over seven. 

Expert's choice

Yuzvendra Chahal: The experienced Indian spinner has not had a great time with the ball recently. He did a decent job last time, scalping one wicket for 30 runs. More importantly, Chahal has done well at Rajkot, claiming five wickets at an economy of 7.08 in three appearances. 

Kusal Mendis: The Sri Lankan keeper-batter has looked in a brilliant touch in this series. In two outings, Mendis has amassed 80 runs at a fantastic strike rate of 142.86. Considering the new-ball bowlers won't get much help at the venue, we reckon Mendis could play a big knock tonight. 

Ishan Kishan: The Indian keeper-batter recently hammered a scintillating double hundred against Bangladesh. Also, he looked in a great touch in the first T20I of this series. With a batting track expected, we anticipate Kishan to score some crucial runs at the top.  

Risky Picks

Umran Malik: A seamer with express pace becomes an x-factor on a track that doesn't offer any assistance to seamers. Furthermore, Umran has enjoyed stellar success in this series, scalping five wickets at a fabulous strike rate of 9.60. However, the Lankan batters will enjoy his pace on this track. So, he could be a risky pick at the venue. But we suggest you to pick him, as he will get some crucial wickets. 

Bhanuka Rajapaksa: Despite being a fierce hitter of the ball, Bhanuka Rajapaksa is yet to make an impact in the series. He has managed only 12 runs in two outings. So, he may or may not give you crucial fantasy points in this clash. 

Cricket Exchange Fantasy XI

Wicket-keepers: Kusal Mendis, Ishan Kishan 
Batters: Suryakumar Yadav, Dasun Shanaka, Deepak Hooda
All-Rounders: Wanindu Hasaranga, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel
Bowlers: Umran Malik, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kasun Rajitha

Captain: Suryakumar Yadav
Vice Captain: Dasun Shanaka 

Also Read: Wasim Jaffer names Shubman Gill's replacement for third T20I against Sri Lanka