On the back of a fairly competitive ODI series, Sri Lanka will now host India for three T20Is. The first match on Sunday evening at the R Premadasa stadium in Colombo is a much-anticipated dress-rehearsal for both teams ahead of this year’s ICC T20 World Cup. Following Sri Lanka’s impressive show in the last two ODIs, one should expect them to make India’s IPL superstars toil hard, yet again.
The conditions in Colombo have so far assisted spinners. Though the pitches have not been rank turners, the slow bowlers from both teams enjoyed success. Come the T20Is, the wickets will be more tired and the hosts certainly will not mind that.
When it comes to versatility in the spin department, Sri Lanka hold an edge. They have an army of slow bowlers of every variety, who turned out to be very effective during the ODIs. Spin is going to be their best bet to improve their track record in this format, which shows just a solitary win in their last 13 completed T20Is.
Along with specialists like Wanindu Hasaranga and Akila Dananjaya, one can expect Sri Lanka to consider left-armer Praveen Jayawickrama in the XI, especially after his three wickets in the final ODI. In this process, they may even end up dropping the most T20I cricketer in the squad, Isuru Udana.
Nevertheless, the evening start is bound to bring dew into play and it will be interesting to see how the slow bowlers handle the wet ball.
India will have to pick the right players for specific roles. For most, it will be an audition for a spot in the T20 World Cup. For the likes of Varun Chakravarthy or Manish Pandey, this can be a make-or-break series.
It will be interesting to notice the approach of Indian batsmen in the Powerplay – an area in which they typically slower of the mark than their counterparts in some countries.
Suryakumar Yadav and Prithvi Shaw are supposed to leave for England to join the Test side but the schedule of their travel plan has not been finalised yet. Both men will be available for selection for Sunday’s fixture.
Head to head
Out of the 19 T20I encounters between the two sides India have beaten Sri Lanka on 13 occasions and lost 5, which includes the 2014 ICC World T20 final in Dhaka. Also, India are yet to lose to Sri Lanka in a T20I on the island nation.
Betway fantasy tips
– The in-form Suryakumar fits ideally for the role of captain in your fantasy teams.
– Chamika Karunaratne did a fantastic job as a hitter down the order during the ODI series. In the T20Is, we might see him bat up the order. He may have a role to play with ball in hand as well. So, you should consider picking him ahead of someone like Hardik Pandya, who has struggled with his form of late.
– The 8 PM start will bring dew into play. Pick as many top-order batters as possible to maximise batting points. Those who bat down the order may not get enough time at the crease.
Likely XIs
India: Prithvi Shaw, Shikhar Dhawan (c), Ishan Kishan (wk), Manish Pandey, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya, Deepak Chahar, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Rahul Chahar, Yuzvendra Chahal
Sri Lanka: Avishka Fernando, Minod Bhanuka (wk), Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka (c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Isuru Udana, Akila Dananjaya, Dushmantha Chameera
Prediction
India to have an all-round show and will beat Sri Lanka comprehensively.