India take on Sri Lanka in the first of the three T20s later today in Pune. The two sides were the finalists of the 2014 World Cup T20 final, and with the new World T20 Cup starting in May, this clash serves as a useful preparation for both teams.
Indians are perhaps the most formidable T20 side in the world, especially in sub-continental conditions. Sri Lankans aren’t half as bad either. Players from both sides have lots of T20 experience, having honed their craft in the IPL.
India are a confident outfit after having blanked out the mighty Australians 3-0 in the T20 series held a few days back in Australia. Sri Lankans haven’t had a good recent record, having lost their biggest players such as Mahela Jayawardhane and Kumar Sangakarra, who have both retired from cricket.
Tilakaratne Dilhan, the other veteran, won’t be playing either, because of an injury. Sri Lanka are also without Lasith Malinga and Angelo Mathews, both of who have been rested.
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We have a new look Sri Lankan side with a lot of talented young players that not many know about. Sri Lanka are clearly a side in transition. We don’t see the Sri Lankans presenting the experienced Indian T20 stars much of a contest, to be honest.
India are without Virat Kohli, who has been rested. This series is a great opportunity for the likes of Yuvraj Singh and Suresh Raina, who have been out of the Indian side for a long time, to show what they are capable of. Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni too would want to prove a point or two to his many critics, who say that his game not as it used to be.
For Sri Lanka, they have brought in Dilhara Fernando, who has been in international cricket for donkey’s years without really doing much. This could be his last opportunity to shine and he will want to make the most of it.
India will choose between two young allrounders, Hardik Pandya, who is a big hitter in the lower order and bowls with a bit of pace, and Pawan Negi, who is an accurate spinner and is handy with the bat too.
The Teams
India: 1 Rohit Sharma, 2 Shikhar Dhawan, 3 Ajinkya Rahane, 4 Suresh Raina, 5 MS Dhoni (capt & wk), 6 Yuvraj Singh, 7 Hardik Pandya, 8 Ravindra Jadeja, 9 R Ashwin, 10 Jasprit Bumrah, 11 Ashish Nehra
Sri Lanka : 1 Niroshan Dickwella, 2 Danushka Gunathilaka, 3 Dasun Shanaka, 4 Dinesh Chandimal (capt & wk), 5 Milinda Siriwardana, 6 Chamara Kapugedera 7 Thisara Perera, 8 Seekkuge Prasanna, 9 Sachithra Senanayake, 10 Dilhara Fernando, 11 Shaminga Eranga
Match Conditions
The state of Maharashtra has been under a drought for years now, so we don’t expect any rain whatsoever in Pune. Pune is known to be a high scoring ground. We expect the pitch to be a typical Indian track – flat, low and slow, with a plenty of runs on it.
Watch India take on Sri Lanka in the 1st T20 later tonight at 7:30 PM LIVE on Star Sports!
