Sri Lanka vs South Africa, 1st ODI: Five players to watch out for

3. Kumar Sangakkara

The left-handed batsmen has emerged as the saviour for his side in the last two tournaments. He scored a magnificent knock of 134 against England in the Champions Trophy at a critical stage of the tournament, whereas he stood his ground against the West Indies to steer the team into the final of the Tri-Nation tournament.

The middle order continues to be unreliable as the likes of Lahiru Thirimanne and Dinesh Chandimal have failed to take full advantage of their opportunities. Now that Angelo Mathews is suspended too, the burden of responsibility on the shoulders of Kumar Sangakkara will be even heavier. The South African pace battery is depleted due to the absence of Dale Steyn, but they can still pack a considerable punch. Sangakkara can anchor the innings at the top of the order, allowing the other batsmen to chip in.