In the 38th match of the ICC Men’s ODI Cricket World Cup 2023, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are set to engage in a fierce battle. This exciting encounter is scheduled to take place at Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium on November 6, 2023, with a kick-off time of 2:00 p.m. IST.

These two teams have a long history of one-day cricket clashes dating back to 1986, and they are well-acquainted with each other’s strengths and strategies. As they gear up for this crucial showdown in the ODI World Cup 2023, let’s delve into their head-to-head record in previous ODI World Cups:

Bangladesh Possible Playing XI: Litton Das, Mehidy Hasan, Tanzid Hasan, Towhid Hridoy, Mushfiqur Rahim, Mustafizur Rahman, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam,  Mahmudullah and Shakib Al Hasan.

Sri Lanka Possible Playing XI: Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Pathum Nissanka, Dushmantha Chameera, Kasun Rajitha, Dimuth Karunaratne, Angelo Mathews,  Charith Asalanka, Dilshan Madushanka, Maheesh Theekshana and Dhananjaya de Silva.

Sri Lanka are in the semi-finals of the 2023 ODI World Cup. On the other hand, Bangladesh is playing very poorly, undoubtedly the upcoming match is very important for both the teams.

Sri Lanka is the strong favorite to emerge as the winner in the Bangladesh vs. Sri Lanka contest.

The Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi features a well-balanced pitch. Over the last 20 matches, the average 1st innings score here has been 267 runs. This pitch offers decent support for both batsmen and bowlers, making it a well-rounded playing surface. The decision to bat or bowl after winning the toss will depend on the specific ground conditions on the match day.

As for the weather at Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi, expect a temperature of around 32°C with a humidity level of 12%. Winds are anticipated at a speed of 1.42 m/s.

In terms of the choice between pace and spin, pacers have found significant success on this pitch, accounting for 67% of the total wickets. Therefore, it’s advisable to consider selecting as many pace bowlers as possible when forming your team.

Venue:  Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi

Situated in: Delhi, India

Located in: Delhi Gate

Seating Capacity: Approximately  41,842

In the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 2023 points table, South Africa currently occupies the second position. They’ve secured six victories and suffered one defeat in their seven matches during the round-robin stage, amassing a total of 12 points.

Quinton de Kock stands as South Africa’s leading run-scorer, having accumulated an impressive 545 runs at a strike rate of 112, featuring 18 sixes and 54 fours. Aiden Markram has also contributed significantly, notching up 362 runs at a strike rate of 117.

Marco Jansen has been the standout bowler for South Africa, with an impressive tally of 16 wickets. His bowling average stands at 20, coupled with an economy rate of 5.84.

On the other hand, India holds the top spot in the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 2023 points table. They have secured victories in all seven of their round-robin matches, accumulating a total of 14 points.

Virat Kohli is India’s leading run-scorer, amassing 442 runs at a strike rate of 89. He has hit 6 sixes and 40 fours. Rohit Sharma has also made a notable contribution, with 402 runs at a strike rate of 119.

Jasprit Bumrah has shone as India’s premier bowler, boasting an impressive tally of 15 wickets. His bowling average stands at 14, complemented by an economy rate of 3.72.

India: Rohit Sharma (c), KL Rahul (wk), Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer, Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Suryakumar Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj

South Africa: Temba Bavuma (c), Quinton de Kock (wk), Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, Rassie van der Dussen, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Gerald Coetzee,   Lungi Ngidi

The Eden Gardens pitch caters to the preferences of batsmen. It provides a good bounce in the initial phases of the game but tends to slow down as the match progresses, creating advantageous conditions for spin bowlers. Choosing to bat first and establishing a substantial target is often considered a prudent choice at this iconic venue.

The ODI World Cup showdown between India and South Africa is scheduled to commence at 2 p.m. (IST) at the renowned Eden Gardens in Kolkata. According to the latest AccuWeather report, the weather forecast indicates a partly cloudy day with intermittent sunshine. Anticipated temperatures are expected to reach a high of 28 degrees Celsius during the daytime, gradually decreasing to a slightly cooler 22 degrees Celsius in the evening.

Rainfall is unlikely, with only a 4% chance of precipitation, signifying a minimal risk of showers on the match day. Additionally, humidity levels are relatively low, standing at 51%. The sky is forecasted to be predominantly overcast, with cloud cover reaching 99 percent.

Venue: Kolkata’s Eden Gardens.

Situated in:  Gostho Paul Sarani, Maidan, B. B. D. Bagh Kolkata, West Bengal

Seating Capacity: Approximately 66,000

As the competition progresses, both England and Australia have taken part in six matches each. Presently, Australia holds the third spot on the points table, while England finds themselves in the tenth position. This upcoming match presents England with a significant opportunity to reverse their fortunes and make strides in the rankings.

In their recent encounter, England faced off against India, with India emerging victorious by a commanding 100-run margin. Notably, David Willey shone as the top fantasy performer for England, accumulating an impressive 109 fantasy points.

On the flip side, Australia engaged in a fierce battle with New Zealand in their most recent fixture, narrowly securing a victory by a mere 5 runs. Travis Head led the charge for Australia, amassing a remarkable 151 fantasy points during the match.

England: Jos Buttler (c) (wk.), Harry Brook,  Dawid Malan, David Willey, Ben Stokes,  Johnny Bairstow, Joe Root,  Adil Rashid, Brydon Carse,  Mark Wood, Gus Atkinson.

Australia: Pat Cummins (Captain), Marnus Labuschagne, David Warner, Josh Inglis, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Steve Smith,   Marcus Stoinis,  Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa, and Josh Hazlewood

The team that secured the 2019 title, boasting five-time championship wins, has engaged in nine ODI clashes. Among these nine contests, Australia emerged triumphant in six, while England claimed victory in three. When evaluating their respective showings in the current tournament, it is evident that England has experienced a lackluster performance. In contrast, Cummins and his team have made a strong resurgence in this prestigious event, bolstering their prospects of emerging victorious in the upcoming match.

Jos Buttler, the captain of the English team, has triumphed in the toss on all three recent occasions. In contrast, Pat Cummins, on the other hand, has only managed to secure the toss victory once in his side’s last three matches. Looking ahead to the upcoming match, we anticipate that fortune will favor Buttler once again, and he will win the toss over Pat Cummins.

The Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad features a well-balanced pitch, catering to both batsmen and bowlers. In the last 20 matches held here, the average first innings score has been 220 runs. An interesting trend is that the team chasing has had a higher success rate, making winning the toss and choosing to field first a strategic advantage.

When it comes to the weather, Ahmedabad is predicted to experience a temperature of around 35°C, with humidity levels at approximately 22%. There’s a moderate wind speed of 1.99 m/s in the forecast, creating conditions conducive to high-paced action.

Venue:  Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad

Situated in: Ahmedabad district, Gujarat, India

Seating Capacity: Approximately 132,000

Field size: 160 meters (180 yds) x 140 meters (150 yds)

In the 35th installment of the ongoing ODI World Cup 2023, a thrilling showdown is set to unfold as New Zealand faces Pakistan at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore on Saturday, November 4. New Zealand enters this encounter on the heels of a disheartening loss to South Africa, where they struggled both with the bat and ball. With three consecutive defeats, New Zealand’s performance against Pakistan will be closely watched.

On the flip side, Pakistan, led by Babar Azam, enters the match with newfound momentum following their victory over Bangladesh. After enduring back-to-back losses, the Men in Green finally returned to their winning ways and are determined to extend their winning streak.

New Zealand: Tom Latham (c & wk), Mark Chapman/Jamesh Neesham, Devon Conway, Will Young, Mitchell Santner, Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Phillips, Trent Boult Daryl Mitchell,  Lockie Ferguson, Tim Southee,

Pakistan: Babar Azam(c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Abdullah Shafique, Saud Shakeel, Fakhar Zaman, Salman Ali Agha, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Iftikhar Ahmed,   Shaheen Afridi, Usama Mir,  Haris Rauf

The ODI World Cup 2023 has reached a critical juncture for both Pakistan and New Zealand, as they teeter on the brink of reaching the semifinal stage. Undoubtedly, the upcoming match holds immense importance for both teams. Regarding their ODI history, these two sides have squared off in 115 matches, with Pakistan emerging victorious in 60 encounters and New Zealand securing 51 wins.

In the current season, the Kiwis have triumphed in four matches, while the Men in Green have claimed victory in three contests. As the 2015 and 2019 finalists prepare to lock horns, it’s evident that Pakistan has been steadily building momentum throughout the tournament. Therefore, we believe that Babar Azam and his team will come out victorious in the forthcoming match.

Tom Latham, New Zealand’s temporary captain, has been fortunate to win the toss in two out of the last three instances. Likewise, Pakistan’s captain, Babar Azam, has also secured two toss victories in their recent three encounters. Looking ahead to the upcoming match on Saturday, we anticipate that Tom Latham will continue his streak of luck and win the toss against Azam.

The pitch at Bangalore’s M. Chinnaswamy Stadium is a paradise for batsmen. The combination of a fast outfield and shorter boundaries makes it an ideal setting for accumulating runs. Choosing to bat first and setting a substantial total could be a strategic advantage in this venue.

As for the weather forecast in Bengaluru on the match day, we can expect a temperature of approximately 26°C with 64% humidity and a moderate wind speed of 3.19 m/s. There’s a possibility of light rain and some cloud cover, which could offer support to the pace bowlers, potentially altering the dynamics of the game.

Venue: M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore

Situated in:  Bengaluru, India

Seating Capacity: Approximately 32,000

Suryakumar Yadav, a prominent middle-order batsman for the Indian cricket team, faces a crucial role in the upcoming ICC ODI World Cup 2023. Despite his mastery in the T20I format, Yadav’s performance in One Day Internationals (ODIs) has been far from impressive. Over the course of 2022, he participated in 23 ODIs, amassing a mere 387 runs with an average of 20.36. This subpar ODI form raises concerns as he is among the chosen 15 for the World Cup squad. Former India batting coach Sanjay Bangar, speaking on Star Sports, sheds light on the improvements Suryakumar Yadav needs to make in his ODI performances.

Sanjay Bangar emphasizes a significant challenge faced by Suryakumar Yadav in ODI cricket – finding boundaries, especially during the middle overs when the ball becomes old and scoring becomes more challenging. Bangar remarks, “In a T20 match, the ball remains solid for the entire innings. In ODIs, in the last five overs for each team, the ball becomes soft because of which you don’t get boundaries that easily. And the second thing is, every batsman needs to find that formula on how to score runs.”

Bangar elaborates that Suryakumar Yadav appears to be struggling to devise a clear strategy for scoring runs during the middle overs (between the 25th and 40th over). While Yadav is known for his ability to target boundaries, he needs to adapt and focus on rotating the strike effectively during this crucial phase of the game.

Bangar comments, “I don’t think he is clear in his head and heart about how to score runs in this period. He can play like he does in the T20 format, but if wickets fall, he needs to find out how to rotate strike between the 25th and the 40th over, and he needs to find his own method to score runs here which he is obviously thinking about.”

Sanjay Bangar shares his perspective on Suryakumar Yadav’s inclusion in the playing eleven for upcoming tournaments like the Asia Cup and the World Cup. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining a balanced and effective lineup.

“According to me, if the team has an opening where he can play, he definitely should. But to put him in the starting eleven only for him to get game time, I don’t think the team needs to do all of that,” Bangar says, suggesting that the team should focus on selecting players who contribute to the proper combinations.

On March 31, disaster struck as Williamson took the field for the Gujarat Titans (GT) against the Chennai Super Kings (CSK). In a valiant attempt to catch a six-bound ball near the boundary, he landed awkwardly on his right leg, clutching his knee in immediate agony. The aftermath led to his swift return to New Zealand and a surgery in June. Since then, the 33-year-old has been engaged in intensive rehabilitation, missing out on the Blackcaps’ international season and notably absent from the Kiwi squads for the ODI and T20I series against England.

In a recent development, Gary Stead, the head coach of New Zealand, has voiced his confidence in Williamson’s eligibility for selection. Stead lauded the skipper’s unwavering commitment during the rehabilitation process, acknowledging the immense dedication Williamson has shown.

“Kane has applied phenomenal dedication to his rehabilitation and has been supported by a strong group of experts around him. He’s left no stone unturned in trying to get back playing cricket at the highest level. We are delighted to be in a place to select him,” Stead said, quoting the ICC.

However, Stead also emphasized the importance of a cautious approach to Williamson’s comeback, considering the extended duration of the World Cup.

“At the same time, he’s also kept perspective about his recovery and hasn’t wanted to rush or force his way back too early. As we’ve previously said, it’s great he wants to play cricket for New Zealand in the long term,” the 51-year-old coach added.

“As we’ve said throughout this process we want to give Kane every bit of available time to aid his recovery. The World Cup is not a short tournament, and we will continue to monitor his progress over the next month ahead of the first tournament match,” Stead concluded.

Kane Williamson’s stellar performance in the 2019 World Cup, where he amassed 578 runs in nine innings, played a pivotal role in steering his team to the final. Additionally, his contributions in the 2015 edition of the ODI World Cup further cement his legacy in New Zealand cricket.

The upcoming ODI World Cup is set to kick off with a highly anticipated showdown between New Zealand and England, the finalists from the previous edition. The first match is scheduled for October 5, at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, India.