Team India will face Sri Lanka in the 3^rd and deciding T20I match to be played at SCA Stadium, Rajkot on 7 January 2023.

Indian bowling department struggled with Arshdeep Singh conceding too many runs including 5 no-balls. Axar Patel was the pick of bowlers in terms of economy. He grabbed 2 wickets for 24 runs in his 4 overs. On other hand, Umran Malik bowled with the pace picking up 3 scalps and giving away 48 runs. Yuzvendra Chahal got a breakthrough by dismissing Kusal Mendis.

The Indian top order comprising Ishan Kishan, Shubman Gill, debutant Rahul Tripathi, Hardik Pandya, and Deepak Hooda failed to contribute. Axar Patel played a blinder of innings scoring 65 off 31 balls along with Surya Kumar Yadav. After being 57 for 5, Patel and Surya Kumar Yadav put on 91 for the 6^th wicket. Patel blasted half-century off 20 balls to give India some hope of winning the match.

Here we look at the Probable changes for India in the 3rd T20I match against Sri Lanka

• Ruturaj Gaikwad replacing Shubman Gill 

The young Ruturaj Gaikwad could replace Shubman Gill in the 3rd T20I match. Gill who made his T20I debut during this series failed scoring 7 and 5 playing poor strokes. He could not provide decent starts along with Ishan Kishan in the first two matches.

Ruturaj Gaikwad has been in decent form of late and could be an ideal choice for Team India along with Ishan Kishan. Gaikwad has created enough impact in the domestic season so far and would look to grab the chance with both hands.

• Harshal Patel replacing Arshdeep Singh 

Harshal Patel could replace Arshdeep Singh in the deciding T20I match to be played today. Singh who made a comeback after an injury struggled badly giving away 5 no-balls that resulted in Sri Lanka posting 206 for 6.

Harshal did a decent job for India in the first T20I match played in Mumbai. Despite going for runs, he grabbed 2 wickets and helped Men in Blue stay alive. His bowling abilities could be handy with his slow variations.

• Washington Sundar replacing Yuzvendra Chahal 

Washington Sundar could replace Yuzvendra Chahal in the 3rd T20I match against Sri Lanka. Chahal has struggled for form with only 1 wicket so far while Sundar is known for stump-to-stump bowling and also can create an impact with the ball also.

Sundar has been in tremendous form lately and could be an ideal option for Team India to replace out-of-form Chahal. He could create an impact with his explosive batting and can bowl in the first six overs also.

Probable XI for India in 3^rd T20I

Ishan Kishan, Ruturaj Gaikwad/Shubman Gill, Surya Kumar Yadav, Rahul Tripathi, Hardik Pandya (C), Deepak Hooda, Axar Patel, Shivam Mavi, Umran Malik, Yuzvendra Chahal/Washington Sundar, Harshal Patel/Arshdeep Singh

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The post Probable Changes Team India Could Do In The 3rd T20I Against Sri Lanka appeared first on Cricfit.

Earlier this month, a piece of news shocked everyone involving the 2011 World Cup final. Former Sri Lanka sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage claimed that the final was fixed. In an interview, the then sports minister of Sri Lanka stated that a certain group was involved in the fixing of the world cup final.

Aluthgamage although did not reveal any evidence with his statements but took full responsibility. Now officially, a full-fledged criminal report has been ordered by Sri Lanka into the allegations of the world cup final being ‘sold’.

Sri Lanka launches probes on 2011 World Cup final

A criminal investigation has begun. It is handled by the (police) independent Special Investigation Unit on sports-related offences”, K.D.S. Ruwanchandra, the secretary to the sports ministry, was quoted as saying by AFP.

“2011 final was fixed. I stand by what I say. It took place when I was the Minister of Sports. I state with full responsibility. However, I do not wish to expose details for the sake of the country. The game against India in 2011, a game which we could have won, was fixed”, said Mahindananda Aluthgamage to news outlet News 1st.

He further added, “I state it with responsibility and I can come forward for debate. The people are concerned about it. I would not involve the cricketers in this. However, certain groups were definitely involved in fixing the game”.

Meanwhile, former Sri Lanka greats Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardena also reacted strongly after the controversial news broke out. The duo who was part of the final demanded proof to justify the allegations of the final being fixed.

India defeated Sri Lanka in the final after the men in blue successfully chased down the target of 275 runs. MS Dhoni and Gautam Gambhir were the heroes as the former India skipper finished the proceedings with a six over long-on at the Wankhede Stadium. 

The post Criminal Probe Ordered By Sri Lanka After Allegations Of 2011 World Cup Final Being ‘Sold’ appeared first on Cricfit.

A few days ago former Sri Lanka sports minister shocked everyone when he claimed that the 2011 world cup final was fixed. Mahindananda Aluthgamage had alleged that his country had sold the game to India. However, former cricketers Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara criticised the statements.

The duo asked for pieces of evidence from the sports minister of their country on social media. Now the sports ministry of Sri Lanka has ordered an investigation and asked for a report on its progress every two weeks, the ministry said in a statement.

Sri Lanka to investigate fixing allegation on 2011 World Cup

The current sports minister of Sri Lanka Dullas Alahapperuma will be closely following the investigation after every two weeks. Recently in an interview, Aluthgamage told a local TV channel that the world cup final was fixed by certain groups.

He needs to take his “evidence” to the ICC and the Anti corruption and Security Unit so the claims can be investigated throughly https://t.co/51w2J5Jtpc

— Kumar Sangakkara (@KumarSanga2) June 18, 2020

“Today I am telling you that we sold the 2011 world cup, I said this when I was the sports minister. As a country, I do not want to announce this. I can’t exactly remember if it was 2011 or 2012. But we were to win that game,” said former sports minister of Sri Lanka Aluthgamage.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka’s skipper in the world cup final Kumar Sangakkara tweeted, “He needs to take his ”evidence” to the ICC and the Anti-corruption and Security Unit so the claims can be investigated thoroughly”.

Mahela Jayawardena to reacted strong to the fixing allegations and asked Aluthgamage to provide evidence to back his statements. Both Aluthgamage and the then President Mahinda Rajapaksa were among the invitees at the final played at the Wankhede Stadium.

The post Sri Lanka Government To Investigate The Fixing Allegations On 2011 World Cup Final appeared first on Cricfit.

It’s been more than nine years since India won the 2011 world cup at Mumbai. The Men in Blue defeated Sri Lanka in the final at Wankhede Stadium by six wickets. Former Sri Lanka sports minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage has claimed the 2011 World Cup final was fixed. However, Mahela Jayawardene has rubbished those claims. 

Former Sri Lanka player Mahela Jayawardene criticised his statement and reacted strongly. The former minister told a news outlet about the final being fixed and added that he stands by his statement.

2011 World Cup final not fixed – Mahela Jayawardene

Athulgamage was the sports minister of Sri Lanka back in 2011 when the final was played. He although didn’t reveal any details or had evidence but claims that certain groups were involved in fixing the game.

“2011 final was fixed. I stand by what I say. It took place when I was the Minister of Sports. I state with full responsibility. However, I do not wish to expose details for the sake of the country. The game against India in 2011, a game which we could have won, was fixed”, Aluthgamage told News1st.

“I state it with responsibility and I can come forward for debate. The people are concerned about it. I would not involve the cricketers in this. However, certain groups were definitely involved in fixing the game”, he added.

However, Sri Lanka captain in the 2011 World Cup final Mahela Jayawardene didn’t take these claims lightly and reacted strongly. He slammed Aluthgamage and asked him for evidence by mocking him on Twitter. Mahela had scored a century in that match but India still won the final and the world cup after 28 years.

Mahela tweeted, “Is the elections around the corner Looks like the circus has started Clown face names and evidence? #SLpolitics #ICC”.

Is the elections around the corner Looks like the circus has started names and evidence? #SLpolitics #ICC https://t.co/bA4FxdqXhu

— Mahela Jayawardena (@MahelaJay) June 18, 2020

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