Probable XI –
Dambulla Giants –
Dasun Shanaka, Niroshan Dickwella, Dilshan Munaweera, Janith Liyanage, Sohaib Maqsood, Lahiru Udara, Chamika Karunaratne, Ramesh Mendis, Nuwan Pradeep, Kalana Perera, Imran Tahir
Kandy Warriors –
Angelo Perera (c), Cameron Delport, Rovman Powell, Charith Asalanka, Kamindu Mendis, Asela Gunaratne, Milinda Siriwardana, Ishan Jayaratne, Nimesh Vimukthi/Ayana Srirwardana, Lahiru Kumara, Binura Fernando
Small League Combination 1 –
1. Niroshan Dickwella
2. Angelo Perera
3. Charith Asalanka
4. Janith Liyanage
5. Dilshan Munaweera
6. Dasun Shanaka(VC)
7. Kamindu Mendis
8. Asela Gunaratne(C)
9. Imran Tahir
10. Lahiru Kumara
11. Kalana Perera
– Asela Gunaratne looks safest captain choice as he’s expected to bat at middle order and bowl atleast three overs.
– Dasun Shanaka might be a decent VC choice as he’s expected to open the innings and bowl part time overs.
– Dilshan Munaweera and Janith Liyanage can give decent fantasy points with the help of bat and ball.
– Didn’t took Rovman Powell as he might not go big at this spin favoured surface.
– Angelo Perera and Charith Asalanka are must picks considering their recent good forms and experience of playing enough cricket at this venue.
– Taking punt on Kamindu Mendis as he’s expected to bat at three down and bowl a couple of overs too.
– Kalana Perera might be a decent punt especially while bowling first considering his strike rate of just 13 in last 10 T20s.
Small League Combination 2 –
1. Niroshan Dickwella
2. Angelo Perera
3. Charith Asalanka
4. Janith Liyanage/Shoaib Maqsood
5. Dilshan Munaweera(VC)
6. Dasun Shanaka
7. Milinda Siriwardana
8. Asela Gunaratne(C)
9. Imran Tahir
10. Binura Fernando
11. Kalana Perera
– Dilshan Munaweera might be a good VC considering his opening batting order and atleast a couple of overs with the bowl.
– Can take Shoaib Maqsood at the place of Janith Liyanage especially if Dambulla Giants gets to bat first.
– Milinda Siriwardana can be another decent pick considering his 4-5 down batting and part time bowling.
– Taking punt on Binura Fernando who has taken wickets at a strike rate of just 15 in 6 T20 innings at this venue.
– Can take anyone from Ramesh Mendis or Chamika Karunaratne at the place of Milinda Siriwardana as they might come handy with bat and ball.
Grand League Combination –
1. Niroshan Dickwella
2. Angelo Perera
3. Charith Asalanka
4. Janith Liyanage
5. Dilshan Munaweera
6. Dasun Shanaka
7. Ramesh Mendis(VC)
8. Asela Gunaratne
9. Imran Tahir(C)
10. Binura Fernando
11. Kalana Perera
– Going heavy on Dambulla Giants as they’re the favourites to win this encounter.
– Imran Tahir and Ramesh Mendis might be good C/VC choices in GL considering the spin favoured surface.
– Rotate Milinda Siriwardana, Ishan Jayaratne and Chamika Karunaratne in different GL combinations.
– Must try Janith Liyanage and Kalana Perera as C/VC in a couple of grand league combinations.
– Angelo Perera and Charith Asalanka are other good C/VC choices for GL combinations.