SA vs SL: Sri Lanka playing XI vs South Africa, Match 4, ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 - Predicted

Sri Lanka will start their campaign with a game against South Africa on Saturday in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023.

The ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 will have two games on super Saturday, which will be the first weekend of this tournament. Four teams will play their first games of the tournament on October 7. The first match will be played between Bangladesh and Afghanistan, while Sri Lanka will take on South Africa in the second match.

That match will take place at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi, on Saturday at 2 p.m. South Africa are looking better, but they will not write off Sri Lanka in Asian conditions. Sri Lanka team recently made it to the finals of Asia Cup and will look to start with a win. Here is the predicted playing XI for Sri Lanka against South Africa on Saturday.

SA vs SL: Sri Lanka's Predicted playing XI vs South Africa

1. Pathum Nissanka :

Pathum Nissanka is in red-hot form and is the highest runs scorer for Sri Lanka in 2023. In fact, he is the third-highest scorer overall in ODIs this year. Nissanka has scored 819 runs in 20 innings at 45.50, with two centuries and five half-centuries. He will look to carry on his form and start well against South Africa.

2. Dimuth Karunaratne :

Dimuth Karunaratne is another Sri Lankan batter who has some runs under his belt. The left-hander is a technically sound player and likes to play an anchor role. He has scored 534 runs in 14 innings in 2023 at an average of 44.50. Karunaratne can be a headache if he gets going because he can take the game deep.

3. Kusal Mendis (wk) :

Kusal Mendis is the biggest superstar in this batting line-up. He was struggling a few months ago but showed his real form in Asia Cup 2023. He is a big wicket because he can be effective against pacers and spinners both, and on a pitch that offers nothing much for the bowlers, Mendis can be a price wicket.

4. Sadeera Samarawickrama :

Sadeera Samarawickrama is another talented youngster in this line-up. He has scored 477 runs in 13 innings at 39.75. He is a good player against spin, which makes him a good middle-order batter. He is a busy player and always looks for singles and twos. South African spinners will be a threat, and Samarawickrama can surely put them under-pressure.

5. Charith Asalanka :

Charith Asalanka had a superb Asia Cup 2023 for his team with both bat and ball. He was among the top- scorers and scored consistently throughout. Asalanka scored 520 runs in 18 innings at 34.66 in ODIs this year and is a pocket dynamo. He was the one who held nerves to beat Pakistan in Asia Cup and has a calm head on his shoulders.

6. Dasun Shanaka (C) :

Dasun Shanaka looked off-colors in Asia Cup with the bat but had some effective performances with the ball in hand. His all-round role provides a great balance to the team, which makes him the most important player on the team. Being the captain, he is expected to play well and take his team to victory against South Africa.

7. Dhananjaya de Silva :

In the absence of Wanindu Hasaranga, spin all-rounder Dhananjaya de Silva will be a key player in the team. He is a consistent performer in both departments. But his off-spin will be more valuable in Indian conditions, and he is also a good finisher who doesn't give his wicket easily.

8. Dunith Wellalage :

Dunith Wellalage was the winner of Asia Cup 2023 for Sri Lanka. The all-rounder showed a great composer at the young age of 20 with both the bat and the ball. He had a great performance against India, where he picked up five wickets and scored an unbeaten 40-odd runs. He can be a surprise package for South Africa, who haven't played against him.

9. Lahiru Kumara:

Maheesh Theekshana will be missing Sri Lanka's opening encounter against South Africa in Delhi due to hamstring injury and that might make way for fast bowler Lahiru Kumara. Lahiru Kumara so far has played 26 ODIs and has taken 34 wickets for his country.

10. Matheesha Pathirana :

Matheesha Pathirana also called as the "Baby Malinga" was among the highest wicket-takers in Asia Cup 2023 and troubled many batters. His slingy action makes him hard to pick, and batters often find him a difficult bowler if they haven't played him earlier. If he can take some early wickets, South African middle-order will be under pressure against Sri Lankan spinners.

11. Kasun Rajitha :

Kasun Rajitha is the new ball bowler, as he is pretty good with new balls. He can bowl at a good pace and stick to a tight length. Rajitha can be a tricky customer to handle with the new ball. He is also good at the final overs with his yorkers and change-ups to restrict the batters from scoring.