India vs. Sri Lanka: The numbers game – ICC World Cup 2011 Final
Cricket is a game often judged by numbers and what better game than an ICC World Cup 2011 Final. The clash between two of the best teams in the tournament is upon us, as India and Sri Lanka meet today in Mumbai in the deciding match for the World Cup and here are some of the comparative numbers for this exciting mega game.
India has played 14 One Day Internationals at Mumbai, winning 8 and losing 6 with a winning percentage of 57.14, as Sri Lanka has played a total of only 4 ODIs at the venue, winning 2 and losing 2 with a percentage of 50. India has the home ground advantage, having played more matches at this venue than their opponents, they definitely have the edge.
Contrast this with the number of batsmen from each team having scored a century at the venue, as Sri Lanka boasts three centuries in the Wankhede Stadium which includes Kumar Sangakkara’s 111 against New Zealand in this tournament, Sanath Jayasuriya’s 151 not out against India in 1997 and Hashan Tillakaratne’s 104 against West Indies in 1993. India in comparison only has two centuries under their belt at this venue which includes Sachin Tendulkar’s 114 against South Africa in 1996 and Mohammad Azharuddin’s 108 not out against Sri Lanka in 1987.
In the bowling department, two out of five bowlers to get 5 wickets or more in the stadium are Indians. Murali Kartik took 6 for 27 against Australia in 2007 and Harbhajan Singh took 5 for 43 against England in 2002. Harbhajan Singh is in the Indian squad for the Final as well, it will be interesting to see how he performs today.
The average first innings score for day / night games in Wankhede is only 230.50. Sri Lanka won both games the team played at the venue whereas India has won 5 out of 9 games the team has played in Wankhede. Six out of the last 10 games in the venue have been won by the side batting first.
As for the wickets at this pitch, 57 wickets have been taken by pace bowlers and 44 by spinners. The Indian side has Zaheer Khan, but Ashish Nehra was ruled out due to injury. Sri Lanka on the other hand will be playing Lasith Malinga, the ace pacer, supported by Thisara Perera and Nuwan Kulasekara.
The numbers for either team are not bad and only go to show that both are equally matched and balanced over all. The Final will be an exciting and entertaining match and hopefully a memorable end to the ICC World Cup 2011.
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