COL vs KAN Match Prediction – Who will win today’s match? LPL 2020, Match 1

After all the doubts over hosting the tournament, the inaugural edition of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) is set to get underway on Thursday, November 26. The opening match is set to be played between Colombo Kings and Kandy Tuskers at the Mahinda Rajapaksha Stadium International Stadium in Hambantota.

Even before the start of the tournament, the Tuskers were jolted. Chris Gayle and Liam Plunkett, who both are T20 veterans, won’t be a part of the tournament. Yet with a number other experienced players in their ranks, the Tuskers aren’t the weakest unit.

The Kings, on the other hand, aren’t short of firepower by any means. They look the stronger of the two teams on paper and would be looking for a winning start. An exciting match seems in the offing.

Pitch and Conditions

The pitch in Hambantota has generally been a good one for batting over the years. But since no T20 match has been played at the venue since 2013, batting second should be the way forward.

Also, because the dew factor might come into play, chasing should be the way forward. There will be five per cent chance of rain with the temperature around the 28 degrees Celsius mark.

Playing Combinations for COL vs KAN

Colombo Kings

Lahiru Udara, Daniel Bell-Drummond, Dinesh Chandimal (WK), Laurie Evans, Angelo Matthews, Andre Russell, Isuru Udana, Qais Ahmad, Dhammika Prasad, Amila Aponso/Jeffrey Vandersay, Dushmantha Chameera

Bench– Kalana Perera, Ashan Priyanjan, Navod Paranavithana, Thikshila de Silva, Himesh Ramanayake, Tharindu Ratnayake, Karm Sadiq, Manpreet Gony, Jeffrey Vandersay/Amila Aponso, Tharindu Kaushal

Kandy Tuskers

Kusal Mendis, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Brendan Taylor, Kusal Perera, Asela Gunaratne, Irfan Pathan, Priyamal Perera, Kamindu Mendis/Dilruwan Perera, Naveen-ul-Haq, Nuwan Pradeep, Lasith Embuldeniya/Vishwa Fernando

Bench- Lasith Embuldeniya/Vishwa Fernando, Ishan Jayaratne, Kamindu Mendis/Dilruwan Perera, Nishan Madushanka, Seekkuge Prasanna, Dale Steyn, Kaveeshka Anjula, Lahiru Samarakoon, Chamika Edirisinghe, Munaf Patel, Kevin Koththigoda

Probable Top Performers for COL vs KAN

Andre Russell– Colombo Kings

Andre Russell didn’t have the best of campaigns in the IPL due to poor form and injury concerns. He got a couple of scores in the 20s, but couldn’t carry on. But back in March, when Russell last played in Sri Lanka, he became the Player of the Series for his brutal hitting and six-hitting series.

Not to forget the experience he brings with the ball. Dre-Russ will be one of the players to watch out for.

Kusal Mendis– Kandy Tuskers

Kusal Mendis isn’t someone, who prefers to play the audacious strokes. The right-hander, rather, likes to play the ground shots and also believes in rotating the strike. The astonishing fact is that despite not being a brute force, he has a T20 strike-rate of 138.84.

He bats well at the top of the order and has given his teams brisk starts. He will, without a doubt, be a key play for the Tuskers.

Average first innings score: 140 (6 T20I matches)

Record of chasing teams: Won- 2 | Lost- 4

Broadcast Details

Match timings – 07:30 PM local time, 07:30 PM IST

TV – Sony SIX

Live Streaming – Sony LIV

The prediction is for Colombo Kings to win the match.

Disclaimer: This prediction is based on the understanding, analysis, and instinct of the author. While making your prediction, consider the points mentioned, and make your own decision.