India look to make a winning start to 2020 home series against SL as they prepare for T20I WC
Javs1233 [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons
Team India will take on Sri Lanka in the first T20I of the 3 match series on Sunday as World Cup 2020 preparation are in full flow. Indian team go into this game as the favourites to win.
Date and Time : 5th January 2019, 7:00 PM IST
Venue : Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati
Team India know how crucial these T20I games are in context of the 2020 T20I World Cup. As it gives the much needed match practice in the format as well as a chance to try out combinations.
After the Windies series last month (2019) we now face another great rivals in the Lankans i.e Sri Lanka.
The home conditions will help and we must win the series for the home fans. For the first game the pitch in Guwahati will be a sporting wicket.
Batsmen will have opportunity to score their runs while it’s a wicket which sort of pacers enjoy. India will look to score 160+ on this wicket if batting first as chasing teams have been successful.
If India have to bowl first then restricting the Lankan batsmen will be key, it all depends on the toss.
On the other hand, Sri Lanka too are preparing for this year’s T20I World Cup and will look to win games.
Sri Lanka know their neighbours well playing them consistently over the years and will be up for a fight.
The Islanders will need to be able to bat well against India as bowling is sort of their strength. To be competitive in the series and overcoming India in India takes a lot of effort.
Sri Lanka will need to play their best cricket and hope for the best. I wish them luck in the new year.
India have a good record in the T20I’s against Sri Lanka and they will look to continue the good work.
Team news and possible line-ups
Lasith Malinga will captain the Sri Lankans in this T20I series against India.
As for Team India, Shikhar Dhawan and Jasprit Bumrah are back and will play against SL.
Sri Lanka XI : Malinga (C), K. Mendis, D. Gunathilaka, K. Perera (WK), A. Fernando, B. Rajapaksa, D. de Silva, D. Shanaka, Udana, W. Hasaranga, K. Rajitha, L. Kumara.
India XI : Kohli (C), S. Dhawan, KL Rahul, Iyer, Pant (WK), S. Dube, R. Jadeja, W. Sundar, S. Thakur, Bumrah, Saini.
Prediction
Expecting India to win the first game and take a 1-0 lead in the series.
