Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe Prediction: Mendis will be leading Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe are going head to head in the 1st Match of the One Day Series at R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, Sri Lanka on 06 Jan 2024. Mendis will be leading Sri Lanka in this series and will be hoping to get off to a good start. Who will win this game of cricket?

Sri Lanka will be participating in their first ODI series since the 2023 Cricket World Cup in India. Unfortunately, they ended the tournament with four consecutive losses against Afghanistan, Bangladesh, New Zealand, and India. These defeats were disappointing for Sri Lanka, particularly after their victory against England. As a result, they have made changes to their team, with Kusal Mendis taking over as captain from Dasun Shanaka. Additionally, Avishka Fernando, Jeffrey Vandersay, and Akila Dananjaya have been recalled to the ODI squad, along with Wanindu Hasaranga, Pramod Madushan, Janith Liyanage, Nuwanidu Fernando, and Sahan Arachchige. On the other hand, players such as Kusal Perera, Dimuth Karunaratne, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dushan Hemantha, Matheesha Pathirana, Lahiru Kumara, Kasun Rajitha, Chamika Karunaratne, and Angelo Mathews have been left out. The new selection panel in Sri Lanka has made swift changes. Dushmantha Chameera and Dilshan Madushanka are expected to play vital roles with the ball. Madushanka showcased impressive performance throughout the World Cup, claiming 21 wickets. As for batting, Mendis will strive to fulfill his primary role with the bat while managing the added responsibility of captaincy effectively.

Kusal Mendis (c), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Avishka Fernando, Pathum Nissanka, Dasun Shanaka, Dunith Wellalage, Dushmantha Chameera, Dilshan Madushanka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Mahesh Theekshana.

Zimbabwe have only played four One Day Internationals (ODIs) in the last seven months. They recently suffered a series loss to Ireland, and prior to that, they were unable to qualify for the Cricket World Cup after defeats to Scotland and Sri Lanka in the qualifying tournament. Furthermore, they have also failed to make it to the 2024 T20 World Cup. The team is currently facing challenges as their head coach, David Houghton, has resigned, and their key all-rounder, Sean Williams, is sidelined by injury. However, captain Craig Ervine has returned to the team, and uncapped spinner Tapiwa Mufudza has been included. Mufudza has shown impressive performance in domestic cricket in Zimbabwe and could excel in the sub-continental conditions in Sri Lanka. Zimbabwe has retained Takudzwanashe Kaitano, Tinashe Kamunhukamwe, Milton Shumba, and Tony Munyonga, but they will be without Wessly Madhevere due to his suspension. Fast-bowling all-rounder Faraz Akram is expected to make his debut and could bring the much-needed versatility to the Zimbabwe XI. This tour will undoubtedly pose challenges for Zimbabwe as they did not qualify for the 2023 Cricket World Cup, will not participate in the 2024 T20 World Cup, are playing away from home in unfamiliar conditions, and are missing their head coach and star all-rounder, Williams.

Craig Ervine (captain), Tinashe Kamunhukamwe, Ryan Burl, Sikandar Raza, Clive Madande, Milton Shumba, Luke Jongwe, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava, Wellington Masakadza, Tony Monyunga.

The R Premadasa Stadium will serve as the venue for the opening match of this series. Historically, the team batting first has a better chance of winning at this ground, as evidenced by nine out of the last 13 ODIs being won by the team batting first. Therefore, it is likely that the team winning the toss will choose to bat first in order to set a target rather than chase one.

Last year, this ground hosted seven ODIs, with an interesting highlight being India bowling out Sri Lanka for only 50 runs in September 2023. However, apart from this outlier, the previous three first-innings totals in ODI cricket at this venue were 265, 252, and 213. It can be considered a competitive score if the team batting first manages to score 250 or more runs. Considering the conditions, it is advisable to include two specialist spinners in the playing XI and possibly have one of them open the bowling.

There is a prediction of wet weather in Colombo both on the day before the match and on the match day itself. This could potentially lead to a rain-affected game.

Sri Lanka's squad has some new faces but appears strong enough to defeat the touring Zimbabwe team, especially with their spin resources. Therefore, it is recommended to place a bet on Sri Lanka to win the match.