SL vs IND | 1st T20I: India eye T20I series after the ODI honours, hosts look to carry the momentum

The manner in which the ODI series was finished would not have been liked by the Indian team. But even during the loss, the Indian teams brought out p[ositives in form of Rahul Chahar and Chetan Sakariya’s bowling. The batting looked a bit wobbly as it was even during the second ODI and this is something that the team would look to work at. 

The hosts though would be happy to finally finish off a game, having not been able to execute the same in the second ODI. Dasun Shanaka and his coach Mickey Arthur would be planning to get along that momentum even in the shortest format as the players remain the same and so does the venue. 

Last chance for Indian batters to shine

The Indian batters haven’t been able to take the opportunity to shine in the first three games as none of the batters have been able to score a century, whether batting first or second. Prithvi Shaw has had two scores of 49 and has got out playing such shots which are considered nothing but extravagant in cricketing terms. 

Similarly, the captain on the tour, Shikhar Dahaw2an has not been able to pull off anything significant either. The only batter to have mustered something fruitful so far is Suryakumar Yadav and as a result, he might be preparing himself to head to England to join the Test squad. But before that, he might just be able to take part in the first two T20Is as he doesn’t have to undergo quarantine because of a bubble to bubble transfer. 

The other batters, be it Sanju Samson, Manish Pandey and Hardik Pandya really need to up their game if they are looking to put any sort of pressure on the current holders of the positions they are looking to grab in the Indian side. 

Spin to win for Sri Lanka

In both the games, the one in which Sri Lanka came close, but couldn’t win as well as in the last ODI in which they did win, it is their spinners that have got them to a strong position. While Wanindu Hasaranga was injured and couldn’t take part in the last game, his replacement Akila Dhananjaya and Lakshan Sandakan replacement Praveen Jayawickrama did exceedingly well to bowl India out for the first time in the series. 

Ramesh Mendis, who also got a place in the XI in the last game has shown that he could be good with both the bat and the ball and hence till the time Hasarnaga is unfit, he could be Sri Lanka’s choice in the XI. 

Sri Lanka vs India: Match Details

Match Number- 1st T20I

Date and Time: July 25, 2021, 08:00 pm IST and Local, 02:30 pm IST

Venue: R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo

Live Streaming: Sony Sports Network and Sony LIV

Pitch Report

Over the last few matches, the Colombo pitch has shown that it has got a lot of help for the spinners. Batters find it difficult to score quick runs initially. But once they are settled, they can score quick runs. Anyhow, a total of 160-170 could be par at this venue in the first innings. 

Weather Report

There is more than a 60% chance of rain between 04:00 pm to 07:00  pm and hence the outfield can be slow for the game that starts at 08:00 pm. Chances of rain post eight are below 30% meaning that we would surely have a game at our hands. 

Team News

Sri Lanka

The Sri Lankan team would like to maintain the winning playing XI as with only four overs to bowl, the skipperShanka can chance his arms with the ball as well to become the third pace option alongside Chamika Karunaratne and Dushmantha Chameera. That way they can play all their spinners. 

Probable XI

Avishka Fernando, Minod Bhanuka (wk), Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka (c), Ramesh Mendis, Chamika Karunaratne, Akila Dananjaya, Dushmantha Chameera, Praveen Jayawickrama

India

After trying their bench strength in the last game, the team would look to go back to basics although Devdutt Padikkla deserves a chance. Whether or not he will get is something that only time will tell. We can surely see at least 5-6 changes in the playing XI from the last ODI in the team. 

Ishan Kishan would most likely be back as a wicketkeeper, but Sanju Smason might still get a game as Manish Pandey’s replacement at number four in the T20Is. Krunal Pandya, Bhuvaneshwar Kumar and Deepak Chahar too will be back. Whether Rahul Chaharwould is opted for instead of Kuldeep Yadav is another speculation and whether Skaariya would play or not is something that could not be guessed. 

Probable XI

Prithvi Shaw, Shikhar Dhawan (c), Ishan Kishan (wk), Sanju Samson, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya, Deepak Chahar, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Rahul Chahar, Yuzvendra Chahal

Fantasy XI

Avishka Fernando, Prithvi Shaw, Ishan Kishan (wk),  Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dhananjaya de Silva, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Deepak Chahar, Chamika Karunaratne, Akila Dananjaya, Dushmantha Chameera, Rahul Chahar,

Captain: Suryakumar Yadav

Vice-Captain: Avishka Fernando