IND vs SL | 1st T20I: Preview, Probable Playing XI, Prediction

Indian Team (Source: Twitter)

India's 2023 begins with a three-match T20 series against the Asia Cup champions Sri Lanka with the first game set to be played at the Wankhede stadium in Mumbai.

The Indian side is here after defeating Bangladesh in the two-match Test series that saw them earning crucial points for World Test Championship. Hardik Pandya will again be leading the Men in Blue, while the last time he was in charge was against New Zealand, right after the T20 World Cup in Australia.

The visitors, conversely, last played an international series against Afghanistan in November, after which they were involved in the Lanka Premier League which concluded last month. The Lankan Lions led by Dasun Shanaka would want to replicate their success when these two sides met the last time whereas their counterparts would be seeking revenge.

Match Details

Date and Time: January 3, 7:00 PM IST
Venue: Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
Live Telecast and Streaming: Star Sports Network, Disney+ Hotstar and JioTV

Pitch Report: The initial movement might aid the pacers a bit in the beginning but once we are a few overs in, it is going to be extremely difficult as the pitch will become conductive for batters. Further, the dew factor might force the sides to bowl first as things would be challenging for the bowlers in the latter half. The shorter boundaries would also play a major role with a heavy run-scoring game on the cards. The weather is going to be absolutely for this thrilling encounter.

Predicted XIs

India: Ishan Kishan (wk), Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav, Deepak Hooda, Hardik Pandya (c), Sanju Samson, Washington Sundar, Harshal Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Umran Malik and Yuzvendra Chahal.

Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Charith Asalanka, Avishka Fernando, Dasun Shanaka (c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Lahiru Kumara, Dilshan Madushanka and Maheesh Theekshana.

Prediction

While not much could be predicted about any side in the T20 format as any side could beat the other side on their day. However, looking at the conditions for this game and line-ups gives us an indication that India is well poised to win the first encounter.

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