On Monday, 31st July 2023, the 3rd match of LPL T20 will take place at R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo. The match will feature B-Love Kandy and Colombo Strikers as the competing teams.

B-Love Kandy has made significant changes to their squad for this tournament, bolstering both their batting and bowling departments with some powerful additions. The team has acquired some of the best T20 batsmen to fortify their top and middle order. Leading the batting charge for Kandy will be Fakhar Zaman, partnered with the experienced Indian cricketer, Suresh Raina, who is participating in a T20 league for the first time. Raina brings a wealth of experience in Sri Lankan conditions, having represented Chennai Super Kings for an extended period, making him a valuable asset in T20 cricket. It is anticipated that Raina will open the batting alongside Fakhar Zaman.

Kandy’s middle and lower order will be filled with hard-hitting batsmen like Asif Ali, Aamer Jamal, Ashen Bandara, Thanuka Dabare, and Avishka Tharindu. The team also boasts the likes of Lasith Abeyratne, Mohamamd Haris, and Dinesh Chandimal to bolster their batting lineup. Wanindu Hasaranga leads the team as the captain, with a solid all-rounder group comprising Sahan Arachchige, Chaturanga de Silva, Lahiru Madushanka, Angelo Mathews, Kamindu Mendis, Navod Paranavithana, and Isuru Udana.

B-Love Kandy is equally formidable in the bowling department, having acquired some of the best T20 bowlers, including Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Pradeep, Mohammad Hasnain, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, and Malsha Tharupathi. These skilled bowlers will lead the charge for Kandy, making them a well-rounded and competitive team in the LPL T20.

In the fourth edition of the Lanka Premier League, Colombo Strikers got off to a disappointing start, facing a defeat in their very first match against Jaffna Kings by a margin of 21 runs. Despite winning the toss and opting to field first, their bowling unit failed to deliver their best performance, conceding 173 runs in 20 overs.

Leading the bowling attack for Colombo Strikers was Naseem Shah, who managed to take one wicket in his four overs, giving away 30 runs. Matheesha Pathirana also claimed one wicket but was hit for 32 runs. Chamika Karunaratne and Lakshan Sandakan both performed decently, taking one wicket each. However, Mohammad Nawaz and Ramesh Mendis couldn’t pick up any wickets.

Colombo Strikers, known for their strong bowling unit, fell short in their batting as well, managing to score only 152 runs before their entire team was dismissed in 19.4 overs while chasing the target of 174 runs. The skipper, Niroshan Dickwella, showed some resilience with a notable knock of 58 runs off 34 balls, including nine boundaries and a six. Chamika Karunaratne also contributed with 23 runs off 15 balls, hitting two boundaries and a six. Nuwanidu Fernando and Ramesh Mendis scored 17 runs each, but their efforts weren’t enough to secure a victory for the team.

On paper, B-Love Kandy appears to be a stronger team compared to the Colombo Strikers, making them the favored side according to match predictions. Several factors contribute to B-Love Kandy’s status as the favorite to win this match, and some key ones are highlighted below:

1. Enhanced Strength in All Departments: B-Love Kandy has bolstered every aspect of their team, adding extra power to their batting, bowling, and fielding units.

2. Robust and Seasoned Batting Lineup: B-Love Kandy boasts a formidable and experienced batting order, capable of putting up significant runs on the scoreboard.

3. Top T20 Bowlers: The team has strategically picked some of the best T20 bowlers, making their bowling attack a formidable force to reckon with.

4. Pressure on Colombo Strikers: Having lost their first match, the Colombo Strikers will be under pressure to bounce back and redeem themselves in this game.

5. Colombo Strikers’ Resilience: Despite their initial setback, the Colombo Strikers are known for their ability to stage comebacks and pose a strong challenge in any match.

Considering these factors, B-Love Kandy holds a favorable position to emerge victorious in this upcoming match against the Colombo Strikers.

B-Love Kandy boasts a blend of seasoned veterans and talented young players well-versed in the T20 format. Their batting order is bolstered by renowned hitters from the T20 circuit, strengthening their winning prospects in today’s match. The match prediction for today’s cricket encounter unfolds as follows:

B-Love Kandy holds a 52% chance of clinching victory in this match, while Colombo Strikers stand at a close 48% chance of securing a win.

The toss will wield significant influence on the outcome of every LPL T20 match, as evidenced by past encounters. The toss prediction suggests that the team winning the toss will likely opt to bat first, given the challenges observed during recent LPL matches while chasing targets.

The 3rd match of the Lanka Premier League will take place at the R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo. The pitch at this venue offers a balanced challenge for both batting and bowling. Previous matches have shown that the pitch is favorable for batting. However, it is slower compared to other tracks, providing significant assistance to spinners. It is anticipated that the surface will further decelerate, making batting more challenging in this upcoming match. Chasing a score of 190 will be a tough task for any team.

The weather forecast for the cricket match in Colombo is unfavorable, with chances of rain in the region. However, we remain hopeful that we will be able to enjoy a full match despite the weather conditions.

It will be updated shortly

• Date: Monday, 31st July 2023
• Time: 02:00 PM GMT / 07:30 PM LOCAL / 07:30 PM IST

• Stadium: R.Premadasa Stadium
• Location: Colombo, Sri Lanka
• Opened: 1986
• Capacity: 35,000
• Known as: Khettarama Stadium (until June 1994)
• Ends: Khettarama End, Scoreboard End
• Time Zone: UTC +05:30
• Home to: Sri Lanka
• Floodlights: Yes

• Total matches: 55
• Matches won batting first: 23
• Matches won bowling first: 31
• Average 3rd Inns scores: 143
• Average 3rd Inns scores: 128
• Highest total recorded: 215/5 (19.4 Ov) by BAN vs SL
• Lowest total recorded: 80/10 (17.2 Ov) by AFG vs ENG
• The highest score chased: 215/5 (19.4 Ov) by BAN vs SL
• Lowest score defended: 115/6 (20 Ov) by RSA vs SL

Thanuka Dabare, Navod Paranavithana, Angelo Mathews, Asif Ali, Dinesh Chandimal(w), Suresh Raina, Aamer Jamal, Wanindu Hasaranga(c), Kamindu Mendis, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Pradeep, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Isuru Udana, Lasith Abeyratne, Lahiru Madushanka, Chaturanga de Silva, Ashen Bandara, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Haris, Avishka Tharindu, Malsha Tharupathi, Sahan Arachchige.