IND v SL, 1st T20I Preview: India aim to demolish the Islanders in the shortest version

It wasn’t an easy task for Rohit Sharma to register a series win in his first ever International assignment as captain of India. But the 30-year-old somehow got the job done with a splendid knock in the second game at Mohali and a comprehensive all-round display in the decider at Vizag. The shortest format knocks the door right now and India once again looks firmly in charge to dismantle their neighbors on the Southern coast.

Shikhar Dhawan has been rested before the all-important South Africa tour commences. It has been an incredibly challenging year for the southpaw and has cleared all the allegations against him with some stunning performances. Sri Lanka has rested a few players as well and most importantly for them, Kusal Perera returns after a long layoff.

Barring the series against New Zealand, which they eventually won, Virat Kohli’s Indian side was a little too good for all the sides. Everyone who entered the field got hammered but the Kiwis did bring the best out of them. But now, this is Rohit’s India who will be up against a very tricky challenge and the opener would love to pass this Test with flying colors.

Toss: Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bowl first

India (Playing XI): Rohit Sharma(c), Lokesh Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Dinesh Karthik, MS Dhoni(w), Manish Pandey, Hardik Pandya, Jaydev Unadkat, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Yuzvendra Chahal

Sri Lanka (Playing XI): Upul Tharanga, Niroshan Dickwella(w), Kusal Perera, Angelo Mathews, Asela Gunaratne, Thisara Perera(c), Dasun Shanaka, Dushmantha Chameera, Akila Dananjaya, Vishwa Fernando, Nuwan Pradeep

Focus will be on

KL Rahul (India)

Virtually, it’s now or never for KL Rahul in the limited overs. The Karnataka youngster was handed a few games in the ODIs against Sri Lanka, but he failed to get acclimatized to the number 4 spot. He eventually lost his spot, but it is still up for grabs. The youngster needs to fire on all cylinders in a position he loves to bat and it’ll be interesting to see if he can perform well and seal a berth in the playing XI in South Africa as well.

Kusal Perera (Sri Lanka)

Touted as the successor to the legendary Sanath Jayasuriya, Kusal Perera’s career has been taking some dramatic twists and turns. The southpaw had to deal with a lot of injuries, but here he is now, fully fit and all set to go berserk. He has the potential to clobber the bowling attack right from the outset and if he can play to his fullest of abilities, Indian bowlers will have a tough time.

Playing combination

India

One of the best batting lineups in the world right now, India will begin their innings with Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul. Shreyas Iyer will be coming in at number 3, with Dinesh Karthik retaining the number 4 spot for another game. Manish Pandey, MS Dhoni, and Hardik Pandya will follow in the middle order.

Jaydev Unadkat is all set to feature in the Indian side after a seven-year gap. Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal have been incredible together and as the calendar year comes to a close, they both have managed to retain their spots in the team. Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya are the other bowling options for Rohit.

Sri Lanka

Kusal Perera and Upul Tharanga will open the innings for Sri Lanka and this is a combination which can bring them some laurels. Angelo Mathews has no other choice but to take resposibility and bat at three, with Niroshan Dickwella, Asela Gunaratne, Dasun Shanaka, and skipper Thisara Perera following in the middle order.

Dushmantha Chameera and Nuwan Pradeep will be opening the bowling attack for the Lankans. They have two brilliant fast bowling all-rounders in Thisara Perera and Shanaka. Akila Dananjaya and Pathirana are the spinners for the day.

StatAttack

92 – India’s previous T20I score on this ground when they faced South Africa in 2015.