Image Credit- AFP
Asia. Sri Lanka. A Wankhede. The 2011 World Cup final
was the last time these two teams played an ODI at this location. However,
things have changed slightly after a span of twelve years.
India has performed as expected considering they were
the pre-tournament favourites. Despite missing Shubman Gill for their first two
games and Hardik Pandya for their last two, they have won every one of their
six games thus far. They will make history by being the first team to go to the
semi-finals if they defeat Sri Lanka on Thursday.
Sri Lanka, who qualified for this World Cup through
qualifying, is fighting for survival. They are coming off a defeat against and
have only four points from six games and are coming off the back of a loss to
Afghanistan. Another defeat will push them to the brink of elimination.
Hardik, who is unlikely to return before India’s last
league game against Netherlands, will remain absent for another while. This
implies that they may again enter the game with just five elite bowlers, with a
tail starting at position eight.
Injuries have also claimed the lives of several
players for Sri Lanka, including Dasun Shanaka, their chosen captain. Kusal
Mendis took over in his absence, but it appears that it had an impact on his
hitting. When Shanaka was captain for the first two games, Mendis hit 198 runs
at a strike rate of 166.38. At a strike rate of 76.08, he has since managed
just 70 in four innings.
Can he find his mojo and inspire his side to a
much-needed win? Because not only the semi-final spot is at stake but also the
Champions Trophy 2025 qualification.