World Cup finalists India v Sri Lanka: Strengths and weaknesses

Reuters) - Following is a look at the strengths and weaknesses of India and Sri Lanka, who meet in the World Cup final on Saturday.

BATTING

Reuters) - Following is a look at the strengths and weaknesses of India and Sri Lanka, who meet in the World Cup final on Saturday.

BATTING

* Overall: Too close to call

India have scored more runs overall (2194 at an average of 274 runs per innings to Sri Lanka’s 1933 at an average of 242 runs per innings) at a better run rate (5.80 versus 5.70)  

However, India have lost more wickets (58 v 40), providing a much healthier average per wicket for Sri Lanka (48.3 v 37.8)

*  Openers: Slight advantage to Sri Lanka

 The teams feature the two outstanding opening pairs in the tournament  The average opening stand of Sri Lanka (97.9) overshadows the Indian average (53.9)

 The rate at which the openers have got the runs is where India have an advantage (strike rate of 102.6 for India v 90.1 for Sri Lanka)

* Middle Order (Numbers 3, 4, 5): Slight advantage to Sri Lanka

Both teams have the same strike rate of 86.5 although Sri Lanka have scored more runs per wicket lost (56.2 vs 41.6)

The Indian middle order have had more time in the middle (874 runs from 1010 balls compared to Sri Lanka’s 731 runs from 845 balls)

= Lower Middle Order (Numbers 6, 7, 8): Better performance by India

 India’s lower middle order has had more time in the middle (304 runs from 390 balls) compared to Sri Lanka’s (172 runs from 205 balls)   India have a better average per wicket (23.4 runs vs 15.6 runs) although a slightly inferior strike rate (77.9 vs 83.9)

* Powerplay performance: India lead, despite losing more wickets

Due mainly to the performance of their opening batsmen, India have a slightly superior runs per over rate during the powerplays, although Sri Lanka (14) have lost less wickets than India (22).

 On average, India are scoring at 6.4 runs per over during the powerplays, compared to Sri Lanka’s 6.1. Sri Lanka average 61.2 runs per wicket compared to India’s 43.5

Conclusion:

 India are likely to score quicker although they are losing wickets in the process - drying up the runs will be the key challenge for the Sri Lankan bowlers.

 Sri Lanka’s top-order batsmen are valuing their wickets - getting to their lower middle order is the key challenge for India’s bowling attack.

BOWLING

* Overall: Sri Lanka clearly ahead

 Sri Lanka have conceded fewer runs (1328 runs in 7 innings at an average of 190 runs per innings) than India (1996 runs in 8 innings at an average of 250 runs per innings) at a distinctly more economical run rate (4.4 runs per over vs 5.2).

 However, both teams have taken the same number of wickets (9) per innings on average

*  Fast Bowling: Slight edge to Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka have bowled far fewer overs of pace compared to India (113 overs vs 157 overs) and have picked up fewer wickets (23 wickets to Sri Lanka vs 33 wickets to India)

The average and strike rate for the fast bowlers is nearly the same (Indian average and strike rate: 24.9 and 28.5 respectively compared to Sri Lanka’s 23.7 and 29.4 respectively)

 India have a better average per wicket (23.4 runs vs 15.6 runs) although a slightly inferior strike rate (77.9 vs 83.9)

*  Powerplay performance: India lead, despite losing more wickets

 Due mainly to the performance of their opening batsmen, India have a slightly superior runs per over rate during the powerplays, although Sri Lanka (14) have lost less wickets than India (22). On average, India are scoring at 6.4 runs per over during the powerplays, compared to Sri Lanka’s 6.1.  Sri Lanka average 61.2 runs per wicket compared to India’s 43.5

Conclusion:

 India are likely to score quicker although they are losing wickets in the process - drying up the runs will be the key challenge for the Sri Lankan bowlers.  Sri Lanka’s top-order batsmen are valuing their wickets - getting to their lower middle order is the key challenge for India’s bowling attack.