In a crucial match for both teams, England found themselves in a tough situation as they were bowled out for a meager 156 runs against Sri Lanka at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore on Thursday (October 26). England, led by Jos Buttler and his team, aimed to set a high target and put pressure on the opposition, following the tournament’s usual pattern. However, this strategy backfired for the defending champions.
The beginning of England’s innings seemed promising, with Dawid Malan consistently finding the boundary in the early overs. Jonny Bairstow also showcased his prowess with a few elegant strokes, hinting at a potential run-fest at this venue. However, the momentum shifted when Angelo Mathews and Maheesh Theekshana were introduced during the first Powerplay. Despite Malan and Bairstow racing to 39/0 in the initial five overs, the following five overs only yielded 20 runs. Mathews struck early, dismissing Malan, and an uncharacteristic run-out claimed Joe Root.
This marked the beginning of a batting collapse that dismantled England’s innings. The pitch conditions were not typical for the Chinnaswamy Stadium, where batsmen usually find it easy to play their shots. Instead, the surface exhibited a two-paced nature that played right into Sri Lanka’s hands. Kusal Mendis effectively rotated his bowlers, taking full advantage of the favorable conditions. England’s batters struggled to adapt to the changing circumstances, and their attempts to hit their way out of trouble proved unsuccessful.
While three of England’s top four batsmen made starts, there was a lack of acceleration in their innings, especially from Ben Stokes, who spent 73 balls in the middle for his 43 runs. With the exception of Dilshan Madushanka, who was expensive during his spell, all of Sri Lanka’s bowlers hit their strides and exploited the pitch’s nuances to stifle England’s run rate. The intensity, both with the ball and in the field, remained relentless as England succumbed meekly. Angelo Mathews set the tone early with his initial spell and the run-out that dismissed Root. From that point onwards, it was a one-sided contest until the conclusion of the innings.
Brief scores: England 156 in 33.2 overs (Ben Stokes 43; Lahiru Kumara 3-35, Angelo Mathews 2-14) vs Sri Lanka
- Disclaimer: The prediction is based on the understanding, analysis, and instinct of the author. While making your prediction, consider the points mentioned, and make your own decision.
