ICC Champions Trophy 2017: 5 reasons why India should be wary of Sri Lanka

#1 Dangerous and volatile lower-order

The likes of Asela Gunaratne can create carnage in the end overs

Notwithstanding the fickle English weather, pitches served up for the Champions Trophy are expected to be batting-friendly and scores around the 300-run mark could be the norm. In such regard, the lower-order muscle becomes extremely important in the bid to notch formidable totals.

With the likes of Thisara Perera, Asela Gunaratne and Seekkuge Prasanna in their armoury, Sri Lanka seem to own a dangerous lower-order. India’s pace bowling combination can unravel quickly if they come under the firing line. Their penchant for early strikes prevented them from gaining death-overs experience in both warm-up matches.

Should the curators prepare a track devoid of fresh grass for the encounter, The Oval’s traditional bounce may facilitate great value for eye-catching shots. If push comes to shove, the onus will be on Jasprit Bumrah to nail the yorkers and stifle Sri Lanka’s hard-hitters in the business stage of the innings.