Preview:
Galle Gladiators will take on Jaffna Kings in the Final of the Lanka Premier League 2021 on Thursday. Galle Gladiators earned their final spot with a convincing win over Jaffna Kings in Qualifier 1. Kusal Mendis is in the top-notch form, which is their biggest plus point. They have won 3 consecutive matches on the trot before heading into the all-important finals.
Jaffna Kings, on the other hand, utilized the extra opportunity they got in the form of Qualifier 2 and thrashed the Dambulla Giants by 23 runs. A 122-run stand for the opening wicket put them in the driver’s seat and they didn’t look back thereafter. They are a persistent side and the favorites to lift the trophy.
Match Details:
Galle Gladiators vs Jaffna Kings, Final
Venue: Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium, Hambantota
Date & Time: December 23rd at 7:30 PM IST and local time
Live Streaming: Sony Sports Network
Pitch Report:
We have witnessed a high-scoring fest in Qualifier 2 where close to 400 runs have been scored here. It’s a flat batting surface with relatively slight help for the spinners. Batting first is a good option here.
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Probable Playing XIs for GG vs JK:
Galle Gladiators
Kusal Mendis (wk), Danushka Gunathilaka, Anwar Ali, Bhanuka Rajapaksa (c), Mohammad Hafeez, Samit Patel, Isuru Udana, Sahan Arachchige, Pulina Tharanga, Nuwan Thushara, Mohammad Amir
Jaffna Kings
Avishka Fernando, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Shoaib Malik, Thisara Perera (c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Chaturanga de Silva, Ashan Randika, Jayden Seales, Suranga Lakmal, Maheesh Theekshana
Top Picks for GG vs JK Dream11 Match:
Top Picks – Galle Gladiators
Kusal Mendis is the second-highest run-scorer in this tournament. In 9 matches so far, he has hammered 288 runs at an average of 36, with the highest score of 85.
Danushka Gunathilaka scored his first half-century of the tournament in Qualifier 1 against Jaffna Kings and got out after scoring 55 runs. Overall in 9 matches in this tournament, he has scored 172 runs at an average of 21.5.
Top Picks – Jaffna Kings
Avishka Fernando became the second player to score a century in the history of the Lanka Premier League. He scored 100 runs in Qualifier 2 against Dambulla Giants and took his total tally of runs to 249 in this tournament.
Rahmanullah Gurbaz has scored two back-to-back half-centuries in the last 2 matches. Overall, he has amassed 172 runs in 7 matches in this competition at an average of 24.57.
GG vs JK Must Picks for Dream11 Fantasy Cricket:
| Player | Statistics (This Tournament) | Dream11 Points |
| Kusal Mendis | 288 runs | 467 |
| Danushka Gunathilaka | 172 runs | 295 |
| Avishka Fernando | 249 runs | 411 |
| Rahmanullah Gurbaz | 172 runs | 347 |
| Samit Patel | 15 wickets and 116 runs | 590 |
Suggested Playing XI No.1 for GG vs JK Dream11 Fantasy Cricket:
Kusal Mendis (vc), Rahmanullah Gurbaz (c), Danushka Gunathilaka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Avishka Fernando, Samit Patel, Wanindu Hasaranga, Nuwan Thushara, Maheesh Theekshana, Jayden Seales
Suggested Playing XI No.2 for GG vs JK Dream11 Fantasy Cricket:
Kusal Mendis, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Shoaib Malik, Danushka Gunathilaka, Avishka Fernando (c), Thisara Perera, Samit Patel, Wanindu Hasaranga, Anwar Ali, Maheesh Theekshana (vc), M Amir
GG vs JK Risky Captaincy Choices:
Bhanuka Rajapaksa has scored 165 runs in 8 innings so far in this tournament at an average of 20.62 with the highest score of 56. He can be a good captaincy pick as well.
Tom Kohler-Cadmore is the second-leading run-scorer for Jaffna Kings in this competition with 239 runs in 10 matches. It’s worth a risk and you can pick him as your fantasy team skipper.
Player you should avoid:
Sahan Arachchige has played only 2 matches in this tournament and has managed to score only 14 runs in an innings and picked up a wicket. It’s better to avoid him while making your fantasy teams.
