World champions India will take on Sri Lanka in the first T20I of a three-match series at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Pallekele on Saturday, July 27. The two teams are off to a fresh start as far as their coaching staff are concerned. India have handed the top job to their former opener, Gautam Gambhir, while Sri Lanka are coached on an interim basis by the legendary Sanath Jayasuriya.
Both teams are going to field young sides, as that is the nature of this format of the game. It will be exciting to follow the standard of cricket on offer. The sporting wickets in Pallekele will also help in this cause.
India will be in a quandary regarding selecting either Washington Sundar or Ravi Bishnoi in their playing XI in the T20I series. Of course, both can be a part of the XI, but that looks unlikely.
Sundar may have the upper hand, given that he is an all-rounder and a left-handed batter. His off-breaks can also come in handy for skipper Suryakumar Yadav inside the powerplay. Sri Lanka must accommodate Dilshan Madushanka on their side as Nuwan Thushara has been ruled out.
Predicted Squads
SL: Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis (wk), Dinesh Chandimal, Charith Asalanka (c), Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana, Dilshan Madushanka.
IND: Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Rinku Singh, Hardik Pandya, Washington Sundar, Sanju Samson (wk), Axar Patel, Khaleel Ahmed, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh.
Key Players
Avishka Fernando (SL): Top-order batter Avishka Fernando comes into this series after a stunning run of form in the recently-concluded Lanka Premier League. He will want to recreate this form against the Indians and make them pay for every mistake they make with the ball.
Suryakumar Yadav (IND): Suryakumar Yadav was the hero for India in the final of the T20 World Cup earlier this year. He has been made the side captain for this series. He has been tasked with the responsibility of leading a bunch of youngsters against a hungry-looking Sri Lankan side.
Match Prediction
India are the overwhelming favourites to win this game, given that they have much more experience and expertise than their opponents. The hosts seem to be a tad undercooked at the moment and will want to get some yards in before they can challenge their opponents. India have a massive upper hand over Sri Lanka in this game.
