World Cup 2023, Match 33 | India Predicted XI vs Sri Lanka

image-lofroe5qIndia will be playing against Sri Lanka in the 33rd match of the World Cup 2023 (Source: AP Photos)

The 2023 World Cup has taken an intriguing turn, with multiple teams vying for the top four berths. Two Asian nations- India and Sri Lanka meet in match 33 of the showpiece tournament at Mumbai's magnificent Wankhede Stadium, slated too begin at 2:00 PM IST.

Sri Lanka has had a turbulent tournament, going hot and cold at times. They lost their first three games of the season before winning a couple of them. However, they suffered a loss in their most recent match against Afghanistan, as Hashmatullah Shahidi and his men defeated the Lions by seven wickets.

The Lankans were the last to open their winning account. A blissful win against Netherlands and England have helped Kusal Mendis and his boys to find a place at the seventh position.

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Meanwhile, India have dominated the competition and has yet to be defeated. They have played six games so far and gained 12 points, putting them atop the standings. They have gelled as a whole, and each section has perfectly complemented one another. 

In terms of batting, the major names--Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli--are the top two run-getters in the mega-event. KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, and others have also scored significant runs.

Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammad Shami have been outstanding with the ball, while Kuldeep Yadav's left-arm wrist spin has been a revelation. Ravindra Jadeja has also contributed significantly as an all-rounder.

Hardik Pandya is yet to recover from his injury and let us have a look at India's predicted XI against Sri Lanka.


Openers: Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill

The Indian captain perhaps played one of the most high quality knocks of the 2023 World Cup against England in Lucknow. He has scored 398 runs from five matches and is the leading run-scorer for India in the ongoing championship event.

Sharma has been in marvelous form with the bat and has taken the aggressors role at the top of the order on most occasions. He has scored five forty-plus scores from six innings and will be a vital asset to the team against Sri Lanka at his home.

Sharma will be joined by Shubman Gill on the other end. The Punjab-based cricketer is a talent head and scored a ton against Australia just a few days before the World Cup. Unfortunately he was struck by dengue fever and that hampered his rhythm. However, Gill scored a fifty against Bangladesh and is slowly coming back in the groove.


Middle Order- Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul and Suryakumar Yadav

Virat Kohli has been in tremendous form with the bat in hand and it's a big plus for team India. He has notched up 354 runs from six innings and is the second highest run-scorer for India in the mega-event. He brought a century against Bangladesh and also gathered three half-centuries.

Shreyas Iyer hasn't been in the best form and has struggled to score runs since his comeback post injury. The Mumbaikar will be playing in his own backyard and therefore the management may give him another opportunity to prove his mettle at the bonanza event.

KL Rahul and Suryakumar Yadav are the two blokes taking care of the Indian batting at no. 5 and 6. The wicketkeeper-batter was blissful with his 97* against Australia in Chennai and revived India from a horrendous position. Surya showed glimpses of his capability in the latest game against England. He's filling the void of Hardik Pandya in the team and looks to be a valuable asset with the bat.


All-rounder- Ravindra Jadeja

In the absence of Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja is the solo pure all-rounder for team India. He has been brilliant in regulating the middle over phase with his left-arm orthodox spin. He has been picking regular wickets and that includes a three-fer against Australia. He hasn't got much time to bat and it's a good sign for Indian batting if they seek less help from Jadeja's batting (as he bata no. 7).


Bowlers- Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Shami, Kuldeep Yadav and Mohammed Siraj

India should not tinker their winning formula. And in that case, Siraj, Shami and Bumrah should be their three pacers alongside Kuldeep Yadav as the primary spinner.

The left-arm wrist variation has worked well in the grand event and Kuldeep falls in that list with ten scalps from six matches.

The good thing for Indian bowling is Bumrah and Shami has been in top-notch bowling form. The former bagged 14 wickets from six games and is the leading wicket-taker for India. The matter has been even better with a fifer and four-for on successive games. He has pocketed nine wickets from two matches.


India predicted XI against Sri Lanka

Rohit Sharma(c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammad Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, and Mohammed Siraj.