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We have two of the leading contenders for the title in the Lanka Premier League facing off against each other on Sunday as the defending champions the Kandy Falcons take on the Galle Marvels at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium.
DATE & TIME: Sunday 7th July, 2024: USA ET – 2:30am / USA PT – 5:30am / UK – 10:30am / South Africa – 11:30am / Pakistan – 2:30pm / India – 3:00pm / Sri Lanka – 3:00pm / Bangladesh – 4:00pm / Australia – 7:30pm
VENUE: Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, Dambulla, Sri Lanka
WEATHER: 31c or 87.8 F with clear skies
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: USA – Not Televised / West Indies – Not Televised / UK – Not Televised / South Africa – Not Televised / Pakistan – Star Sports / India – Star Sports / Bangladesh – Star Sports / Australia – Not Televised / Sri Lanka – Star Sports
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: USA – Not Available / West Indies – Not Available / UK – Not Available / South Africa – Not Available / Pakistan – Tapmad / India – Fancode / Bangladesh – Not Available / Australia – Kayo Sports / Sri Lanka – Dialog TV
KANDY FALCONS FORM: THE FORCE OF THE LPL
On the opening night, as they seek to defend their title, the Kandy Falcons laid down a marker as they chased Dambulla Sixers’ 179-4 in just 17.2 overs with excellent batting from both Dinesh Chandimal and Dasun Shanaka. However, they backed that up by suffering a heavy 51-run defeat to an impressive Colombo Strikers side in Pallekele.
LAST THREE: LWW
GALLE MARVELS FORM: MARVELLOUS MARVELS
The Galle Marvels, aided by the excellent opening partnership of Niroshan Dickwella and Alex Hales, started off by winning off the final ball of the match to chase 178 against the Jaffna Kings before then enjoying a seven-run victory over the aforementioned Colombo Strikers. They did, though, suffer a close defeat to the Jaffna Kings in the second encounter between those two.
LAST THREE: WWL
KANDY FALCONS BETTING ANALYSIS
The Kandy Falcons’ success was built around the impressive performances of captain Wanindu Hasaranga. The Sri Lankan all-rounder was the leading run scorer in 2023 as well as the top wicket taker for the entire league. He has been in poor form with the bat but has begun to show signs of improvement and Hasaranga is always a good bet to be Player of the Match given how pivotal and decisive the all action man can be.
There are plenty of ‘leaders’ or ‘captains’ within the Falcons side, though, and two that have been mentioned are former Sri Lanka captains Shanaka and Chandimal. They both know the conditions so well with Shanaka finally finding attacking fluency. Shanaka scoring 30 or more runs in the match seems a good bet more often than not in this tournament.
GALLE MARVELS BETTING ANALYSIS
It may often be repeated but it is worth repeating for a reason, the Galle Marvels opening partnership of Dickwella and Hales is probably the best in the tournament and has certainly started as the most fruitful. Backing either one of them to go past 30 or 50 is almost always worth a bet.
With the ball, Galle do have a bit of an issue with their star spinner, Maheesh Theekshana, struggling to take wickets consistently at the moment for franchise or country. Given the aforementioned knowledge of conditions from the impressive Falcons batting line-up, going for a seamer, notably Zahoor Khan, to be their best bowler in the match would be sensible.
KANDY FALCONS VS GALLE MARVELS EXPERT PREDICTION
These are two strong sides with a lot of quality players. Kandy Falcons began the tournament seeming almost untouchable with that comfortable victory over Dambulla but their loss to Colombo has realigned expectations with reality for the defence of their title which may still be on but won’t be easy. Galle Marvels, on the other hand, though, are perhaps too overly reliant on the opening partnership so Kandy coming out on top would be no real shock.
KANDY FALCONS VS GALLE MARVELS TOP TIP: KANDY FALCONS TO WIN
