Check our Dream11 Prediction, Fantasy Cricket Tips, Playing Team Picks for 1st ODI on January 6th
Sri Lanka will host Zimbabwe in the 3 matches ODI series followed by as many T20Is. The ODI series will begin on Saturday and conclude on 11th January. R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo will host the entire series including the T20Is. Sri Lanka will have a new permanent captain Kusal Mendis who recently led the side in the absence of Dasun Shanaka in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup. Meanwhile, Craig Ervine who missed the last ODI series against Ireland is back in as the skipper for Zimbabwe.
Game faces on! 🏏 Sri Lanka is ready to take on Zimbabwe in the first ODI of the 3-match series at R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium. 🇱🇰🇿🇼 #SLvZIM pic.twitter.com/SOa4NsgsRC
— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) January 6, 2024
Match Details:
Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe, 1st ODI
Venue: R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
Date & Time: January 6th at 2:30 PM IST and Local Time
Live Streaming: Sony Sports Network and Fancode
What is the pitch report for SL vs ZIM, 1st ODI?
The pacers will get a lot of purchase early on in the innings and run-scoring becomes much easier once the wicket settles down. It won’t be easy to chase under the lights and captains will prefer to bat first.
Recent form:
Sri Lanka: Lost Lost Lost Lost Won
Zimbabwe: Lost Lost NR Lost Lost
SL vs ZIM, 1st ODI Probable Winners:
Sri Lanka are expected to win this match.
What is the expected, Probable Playing XIs for SL vs ZIM, 1st ODI?
Sri Lanka
Avishka Fernando, Nuwanidu Fernando, Kusal Mendis (c & wk), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga / Sahan Arachchige, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Dilshan Madushanka
Zimbabwe
Joylord Gumbie (wk), Tinashe Kamunhukamwe, Craig Ervine (c), Sikandar Raza, Clive Madande, Ryan Burl, Tony Munyonga, Wellington Masakadza, Luke Jongwe, Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani
🎩 Ranjan Madugalle takes the helm as the match referee for the Zimbabwe tour of Sri Lanka. #SLvZIM pic.twitter.com/WAs6OXtgf9
— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) January 5, 2024
Injury Updates:
Suspected dengue ruled Patthum Nissanka out of the ODIs and Shevon Daniel comes in as his replacement. Sean Williams will miss the whole tour due to a side injury.
What are the Top Picks, players for Dream11, My11circle and MPL for SL vs ZIM, 1st ODI?
Top Pick – Batter
Craig Ervine will adapt to the conditions quickly and is a good player against spin. He has a good record in the ODIs, scoring 3294 runs in 116 matches at an average of 33.27 with the best score of 130*.
Top Pick – All-Rounder
Sikandar Raza is termed as a one-man army for Zimbabwe as he has done exceedingly well over the years. The 37-year-old all-rounder has mustered 4143 runs in 139 ODIs at an average of 36.99 and picked up 85 wickets at an economy of 4.9.Top Pick – Bowler
Dilshan Madushanka was one of the breakout stars of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, finishing as the leading wicket-taker for the side by a long margin with 21 scalps in 9 matches.
Top Pick – Wicketkeeper
Having led Sri Lanka in a high-profile ICC event will help Kusal Mendis to take up the full-time captaincy role. He has amassed 3509 runs in 121 ODIs at an average of 32.19 with the highest score of 122.
Catch all the live moments of the Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe ODI series on below channels. Don’t miss a single wicket or boundary! 👇#SLvZIM pic.twitter.com/fmdqdyqthT
— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) January 5, 2024
X-Factor:
Sadeera Samarawickrama had an excellent campaign for Sri Lanka in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, scoring 373 runs in 9 matches at an average of 53.28 with the highest score of 108.
Zimbabwe players sweating it out in training ahead of the first ODI against Sri Lanka 🇱🇰 in Colombo this Saturday.#SLvZIM pic.twitter.com/avXqIbArXz
— Zimbabwe Cricket (@ZimCricketv) January 5, 2024
What are the fantasy suggested teams for SL vs ZIM, 1st ODI?
1. Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama (vc), Joylord Gumbie, Craig Ervine, Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka, Sikandar Raza (c), Dunith Wellalage, Blessing Muzarabani, Maheesh Theekshana, Dilshan Madushanka
2. Kusal Mendis (c), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Joylord Gumbie, Craig Ervine, Ryan Burl, Sikandar Raza, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Dushmantha Chameera, Richard Ngarava, Dilshan Madushanka (vc)
ONE DAY TO GO ⏳ https://t.co/ZdYdfylhlT
— Zimbabwe Cricket (@ZimCricketv) January 5, 2024
Pre-Match Analysis:
Sri Lanka’s first assignment after their dreadful ICC Men’s World Cup, finishing 9th in the standings which also stopped them from qualifying for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 which is scheduled in Pakistan. The selection panel led by former cricketer Upul Tharanga made the tough decision to drop all-rounder Dhananjaya de Silva and there is no place for Angelo Matthews who made it to the World Cup at the halfway mark. Kusal Mendis has been elevated to the full-time captaincy role with Charith Asalanka as his deputy. Premier all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga has been named in the squad while his selection is subject to fitness. The side also marks the return of Avishka Fernando, Akila Dananjaya, and Jeffrey Vandersay. Upcoming star Shevon Daniel comes in as a replacement for Patthum Nissanka who ruled out of the ODIs due to suspected dengue.
Zimbabwe had a horrendous 2023, failing to qualify for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup and T20 World Cup, and will be looking to start fresh this year on a higher note. They recently lost the 3-matches ODI series against Ireland 2-0 at home. Craig Ervine returns to the ODI side for the first time since July 2023 however they will be without their main all-rounder Sean Williams who was ruled out of the tour with a side injury. Tapiwa Mufudza has earned a maiden ODI call-up following his impressive show in the Pro50 Championship 2023. Faraz Akram who is yet to make his debut in ODIs keeps his place in the side.
