India vs Sri Lanka 1st T20I Match Today: New look Indian team with Suryakumar Yadav and Gautam Gambhir at the helm will take on Charith Asalanka’s side in a three-match T20I series starting on Saturday at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Pallekele.
Both teams have had contrasting 2024 T20 World Cup campaigns with India lifting the trophy and Sri Lanka having another disappointing showing at an ICC event and getting eliminated in the group stage. However, the series will mark the beginning of a new cycle for both teams for the next T20 World Cup 2026.
Here’s a look at all the details
Predicted XIs
India Predicted XI: Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant, Suryakumar Yadav, Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh
Player to watch out for Shubman Gill has been in and out of the T20I side since he made his debut. However, despite his ordinary record in the format he has led the side in Zimbabwe to a 4-1 series win and will be deputy to Suryakumar Yadav in the T20I leg of the series against Sri Lanka. His performance will be under scrutiny throughout the tour and the onus is on him to justify his spot and promotion as vice-captain in the side.
Sri Lanka predicted XI: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kamindu Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Charith Asalanka (Captain), Wanindu Hasaranga, Dasun Shanaka, Mahesh Theekshana, Dilshan Madushanka, Matheesha Pathirana, Asitha Fernando.
Player to watch out for Charith Asalanka has been earmarked as one of the batting pillars of Sri Lankan cricket going forward and he has shown glimpses of what he can do regularly. Though he has led the side from time to time captaining the side full time will present him with a different challenge. Can he handle the pressures of leadership without affecting his batting will be something to be seen.
Squads:
Sri Lanka Squad: Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis(w), Charith Asalanka(c), Dasun Shanaka, Kamindu Mendis, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dilshan Madushanka, Matheesha Pathirana, Binura Fernando, Dinesh Chandimal, Kusal Perera, Asitha Fernando, Dunith Wellalage, Chamindu Wickramasinghe
India Squad: Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Suryakumar Yadav(c), Rishabh Pant(w), Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj, Sanju Samson, Riyan Parag, Khaleel Ahmed, Shivam Dube
India vs Sri Lanka head-to-head records in T20Is
Matches played: 29, India won: 19, Sri Lanka won: 9
India vs Sri Lanka pitch report
Pallekele has traditionally been a good batting wicket with a balance slightly tilted towards pacers. Under the lights, the new ball might swing a little which the opening batters might need to be wary of. However, once the batters get their eye in the trustable bounce and pace of the wicket will make scoring easy.
India vs Sri Lanka weather report
It is monsoon in Sri Lanka hence rain might play a factor throughout the series. However, the Accuweather app predicts rain in the morning and clear skies in the evening with a maximum temperature of 29 degrees centigrade and a minimum temperature of 21 degrees centigrade. The captain winning the toss might opt to field first because of probable rain interruptions and if not dew may play a role in the 2nd innings.
India vs Sri Lanka live streaming details.
The India vs Sri Lanka, 1st T20I will be played on Saturday, July 27th at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele at 7:00 PM IST.