Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai Pitch Report & Weather Forecast for IND vs SL ICC ODI World Cup 2023 Match 33

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Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai will stage it's third match of the ongoing ICC World Cup 2023 on Thursday (November 2) when title favourites and unbeaten hosts India meet Sri Lanka in a rematch from the 2011 final in match 33 of the tournament.

Rohit Sharma's India will look to carry on their momentum following their sixth win in as many games of the tournament, while Sri Lanka will be eager to bounce back and land their third win of the campaign as they look to keep their semifinal hopes alive.

In the most recent outing, India rode on Rohit's 87 to set a respectable total of 229/9 before Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah combined to bowl out England for 129 to register a 100-run win on a tricky surface in Lucknow, where there was no weather interruption.

Sri Lanka, on the other hand, suffered a 7-wicket upset loss against Afghanistan on a surface that has some assistance for the bowlers at the MCA Stadium in Pune, where weather stayed clear. After being bundled out for 241, Sri Lanka conceded the chase in the 46th over on Monday (October 30).

Weather has interrupted both India and Sri Lanka's matches, but has not affected the games completely. While India's match against New Zealand in Dharamsala was stopped due to mist, Sri Lanka's clash against Australia in Lucknow was stopped for a brief moment due to rain.

It is unlikely that rain will play spoilsport in Mumbai, but the afternoon heat and poor air quality may be a worry even on Thursday (November 2), when there is forecast for poor visibility due to mist.

The venue in Mumbai has produced some high-scoring games in limited overs format. So, how will the weather and pitch conditions be for IND vs SL clash in Mumbai? Will rain or mist play spoilsport? Will dew be a factor in the match?

With some parts of India witnessing showers due to the retreating monsoon, here is a look at the Mumbai weather forecast and the Wankhede Stadium pitch report for IND vs SL 33rd ICC World Cup match:

Mumbai Weather Forecast on November 2

There is no threat of rain in Mumbai on Thursday (November 2) or in the lead up to match. It is expected to be a very warm day with a blend of sunshine and clouds. The temperature is expected to touch 37° C in the noon, but is expected to reduce to 31° C in the night.

It is expected to be a very humid day, which may not be pleasing to players, who will need to do a lot of running or spend most of the time in the middle during the first half. The two earlier matches saw players go down in cramps.

Weather Channel also forecasts similar conditions with no chance of rain, but forecasts mist at times with a maximum temperature of 34° C in the noon, and 31° C at the closing stages. So, rain is unlikely to play spoilsport, but mist may be a worry in the IND vs SL match in Mumbai.

While there is no rain, there is chance for dew, which could be a factor in the later stages of the second innings in Mumbai, meaning the team chasing may have an extra advantage. But, how is the Mumbai wicket going to play?

Wankhede Stadium pitch report for IND vs SL World Cup match

Four of the 13 red soil strips at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai have been selected by the ICC for the five World Cup 2023 matches, including the semifinal. The venue has been known to provide some assistance for quicks with the new ball, but has mostly been batting friendly.

The first World Cup 2023 match was just an example of why the Wankhede Stadium is called a batter's paradise as South Africa posted the second highest total at the venue, where they also hold the record for the highest total, which they scored eight years ago against India.

In the second match, Proteas continued their carnage with the bat with Bangladesh being the victims this time. South Africa posted 382/5 before their pacers used conditions under lights to bundle out Bangladesh for 233.

The average first innings score in the 25 ODIs hosted by the venue is 255. Three of the last five matches at the venue have ended in favour of the team chasing, but the team batting first have won when posting 350 plus.

Overall, the teams batting first hold the edge over teams chasing at this venue. But, teams will be tempted to chase especially with the dew factor in mind. However, with the pace bowlers expected to find some joy under lights, teams may be tempted to bat first and add scoreboard pressure.