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Colombo Kings take on Dambulla Viiking in another exciting clash at the Lanka Premier League (LPL 2020)

Colombo won their last match against Galle Gladiators by 34 runs. Andre Russel played a rollicking 65 run knock off just 19 balls and he was ably supported by Laurie Evans who hit 21.

Dambulla was thrashed by 66 runs by Jaffna Stallions. Chasing a stiff target of 218, they did not get the right start as Paul Stirling and Upul Tharanga got dismissed cheaply. Though Samit Patel and Dasun Shanaka showed some resistance, Jaffna got wickets regularly bowling them out for 152.

Head to Head

The teams will be playing each other for the very first time.

Team News

Colombo's opener Thikshila De Silva is struggling at the moment. He can be replaced with the local boy, Lahiru Udara instead. Isuru Udana was very expensive in his two-over spell conceding 33 runs and needs to bowl economically from here on. 

Dambulla's Lahira Kumara gave away 63 runs in the match against Jaffna. The team can take in Kasun Rajitha or the leggie, Ashen Bandara instead.

Pitch and Conditions

Hambantota is an ideal venue to put a huge total on board and defend the target successfully. Though bowlers can expect some assistance from the pitch in the form of swing during the initial part of the innings, only highly skilled bowlers can exploit the flat deck and take wickets at regular intervals.

Probable Playing XI

Colombo Kings: Dinesh Chandimal (wk), Thikshila De Silva/ Lahiru Udara, Laurie Evans, Daniel Bell-Drummond, Angelo Mathews (c), Andre Russell, Ashan Priyanjan, Isuru Udana, Qais Ahmad, Dushmantha Chameera, Amila Aponso. 

Dambulla Viiking: Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Paul Stirling, Upul Tharanga, Samit Patel, Dasun Shanaka (c), Lahiru Madushanka, Ramesh Mendis, Aftab Alam, Anwar Ali, Malinda Pushpakumara, Lahiru Kumara/Kasun Rajitha. 

Key Battles:

Andre Russell vs Samit Patel

Andre Russell vs Samit Patel LPL
Russel is a proven T20 specialist while Patel's game awareness can never be discounted. 

The destructive all-rounder from the Caribbean destroyed Galle with his ferocious assault in a curtailed 5-over match. He continues to remain a force in T20 cricket with his powerful shots. From playing quick cameos, he has become a burly hitter now who can play long knocks. 

Patel is coming into this match with two good knocks in the last two games. He has used his massive experience and become an attacking lower-order batsman. He can trouble Russell with his clever variations and tricky length.

Niroshan Dickwella vs Isuru Udana

Niroshan Dickwella vs Isuru Udana LPL
Udana needs wickets to bolster his confidence while Dickwella needs to value his wicket. 

Dickwella managed to score 20 runs while opening the batting against Jaffna. He always starts well but throws his wicket away. He needs to be more consistent and play a big knock. 

Though his side won their last game, Udana will not be quite pleased with his performance having conceded 16.5 runs an over. He needs to make use of his left-arm slower cutters and raw pace to unsettle Dickwella.

Prediction

Colombo is yet to lose a match in this tournament, while Dambulla will aim to get back to winning ways after a humiliating defeat. Colombo's batting firepower may be too strong for Dambulla's bowling attack unless they script something special.

Cricwizz predicts Colombo Kings to win the match