Colombo Kings will take on Kandy Tuskers in the 2020 Lanka Premier League evening clash on Saturday. Kings are currently third in the points table, with 2 wins out of 3 games, at the time of writing. Tuskers are fourth, with just one win to show out of 5 games, They are a spot ahead of Galle Gladiators who are yet to win a game out of 4 matches.
Kings started well, posting a thrilling Super Over win against Kandy Tuskers in the opening clash of the 2020 Lanka Premier League. They also won against Galle Gladiators in a rain-affected match, thanks to a brilliant knock of 65 not out by Andre Russell. They lost their next clash against Dambulla Viiking by 28 runs.
Tuskers had been unlucky as they lost two close games via Super Over against Colombo Kings and by 4 runs against Dambulla Viiking on Duckworth Lewis method. But they came back strongly against Gladiators to win the clash by 25 runs. But they were back to losing ways as they lost their next two games against Jaffna Stallions (54 runs) and Viiking (5 wickets).
They need to get back to winning ways if they wish to stay in contention for knockouts. They also would look to eye revenge of the Super Over loss in the LPL opener when they face Kings on Saturday. Overall, it promises an exciting contest between Kings and Tuskers.
Weather Report
The weather will be cloudy, with temperatures hovering around 25 degrees Celsius to 30 degrees Celsius. There is no likelihood of rain. And hence, a full match is guaranteed.
Pitch
It is an evening clash, and dew will play its part. So, batting would be easy under the lights. Hence, choosing to field first on winning the toss would be the preferred option. The pitch is likely to stay good for batting throughout.
Team News
Kings have a few worries on their hands. Their batting and bowling have lacked the consistency they would have expected from their players. Despite boasting of world-class players in Angelo Mathews, Andre Russell, and Dinesh Chandimal, their batting has flattered to deceive so far.
There have been a few great individual flashes of brilliance here and there, but it is not enough to guarantee a win. Their bowling, except Isuru Udana, too has not delivered the goods. A team's effort is all Kings need to deliver the knockout punch to Tuskers.
Tuskers, on the other hand, have a lot to worry about. Having posted just 1 win out of five, they need to rethink their combination, but the lack of resources does not allow them to do so.
The best thing they can do is hope the players they have relied on would finally come good and deliver for the team. Besides, they have lacked the finishing touch to seal off a game, after having lost 2 close matches via Super Over and 4 runs. Their batting and bowling have to complement each other to get the better of the opponents.
Probable playing XI
Kandy Tuskers (KTK): Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Kusal Perera (captain, keeper), Kusal Mendis, Brendan Taylor, PHKD Mendis, DAS Gunaratne, S Prasanna, Naveen-ul-Haq, MDK Perera, N Pradeep, MM Patel.
Colombo Kings (CLK): Dinesh Chandimal (wk), Laurie Evans, Thikshila de Silva, Angelo Mathews (captain), Ashan Priyanjan, Andre Russell, Isuru Udana, Qais Ahmad, Tharindu Kaushal, Daniel Bell-Drummond, Dushmantha Chameera
KTK vs CLK Fantasy Team
Laurie Evans (CLK), Brendan Taylor (KTK), Kusal Mendis (KTK), Dinesh Chandimal (CLK), Kusal Perera (KTK), Andre Russell (CLK), Asela Gunaratne (KTK), Angelo Mathews (CLK), Isuru Udana (CLK), Naveen-ul-Haq (KTK), Dushmantha Chameera (CLK)
Captain picks: Andre Russell (CLK) and Dinesh Chandimal (CLK)
Vice-Captain picks: Kusal Mendis (KTK) and Angelo Mathews (CLK)
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