IND vs SL, 1st T20I: Head to Head, Playing XI, Preview, Where to Watch on TV, Online, and Live Streaming Details

A new-look Indian team will clash against Sri Lanka in the T20I series opener at the Wankhede Stadium on Tuesday, January 3. The hosts are without their regular skipper Rohit Sharma, who sustained a finger injury during the Bangladesh ODI series. However, they have found a potential successor in Hardik Pandya for the shortest format of the game, with several experts backing him to lead the Asian side for the next T20 World Cup in 2024.

Former Indian skipper Virat Kohli has been rested for the T20I series, while experienced opening batter KL Rahul is on leave, with his marriage imminent in the coming days. Pandya, along with the no. 1 T20I batter in the world and his deputy for the series Suryakumar Yadav, will form the spine of the team with several young faces around them.

Meanwhile, the visitors Sri Lanka won't have fond memories of their last visit to the country as they were hammered 3-0 in the T20I series in India last year. However, the islanders vindicated themselves by knocking out India from the Asia Cup later that year. The Asian champions will be buoyed by that result and are capable of producing the goods against a young Indian outfit.

Pitch Conditions 

The surface at the Wankhede will delight the batters with its electric outfield and relatively flat strip in the middle. The dew is likely to be a factor in the match, with the Indian winter at its peak and the match set to be played under the lights.

Playing Combinations for IND vs SL

India

With Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shubman Gill, and Ishan Kishan in the team, it would be interesting to see what opening pair walks out for India in the series opener. Both Gaikwad and Gill had a prolific Syed Mushtaq Ali tournament for their respective sides, but Kishan's record-setting double-century against Bangladesh makes him a guaranteed starter.

Predicted Playing XI 

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

Sri Lanka

Dasun Shanaka's men have scaled great heights since their last visit to the country. The Lankans will play a fearless brand of cricket with the bat and will also pose a threat with their two primary weapons with the ball, Maheesh Theekshana and Wanindu Hasaranga.

Predicted Playing XI 

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

IND vs SL Head-to-Head 

Played –26, IND – 17, BAN – 8, NR -1 

IND vs SL Broadcast & Live Streaming Details 

Match Timings- 7:00 PM IST  

TV- Star Sports Network

Streaming- Disney+Hotstar