Sri Lanka v India, One-off T20I – Match Result Predictions

It all comes down to the one final game on India’s tour to Sri Lanka. The two sides will now face off in the shortest format of the game at the R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo. Where India would look to enforce the perfect sweep by winning the T20I as well with the Test and ODI whitewashes already in the pocket, the Lankans would desperately want to restore some pride with a victory.

The hosts have been hammered so far in all the games. Barring a spell of Akila Dananjaya in the 2nd ODI, the visitors have dominated massively. Sri Lanka might fancy their chances in the T20 match as the players won’t have the burden of occupying the crease for long and they’ll be able to express themselves. But even that is going to be difficult against the in-form Indian side.

For the Virat Kohli-led side, it’s a great chance to go home with another win and with that, triumphs across all formats. Unlike the last 2 ODIs, the team won’t look for experimentation and would go for an all-out attack with a full strength playing XI. It’s also going to be the final opportunity for the players to reserve their places for the upcoming limited overs series against Australia.

Here is what Crictracker predicts for the game:

Scenario 1: Sri Lanka wins the toss

Toss prediction: Sri Lanka will choose to bowl first

First innings score prediction: 180-190

Result prediction: India will win the match 30-40 runs

Scenario 2: India wins the toss

Toss prediction: India will choose to bowl first

Result prediction: India will win the match by 5 wickets

Head to Head Record

Overall: Total Matches – 10, India Won – 6, Sri Lanka Won – 4, No Result/Tied – 0

Matches in Sri Lanka: Total Matches – 2, India Won – 2, Sri Lanka Won – 0, No Result/Tied – 0

Just like the ODIs, India have dominated in the shortest format of the game as well. They have won the last 3 meetings between the side in the format and also emerged victorious on both occasions when the Lankans were the hosts. The odds to get the 3rd victory in the island nation are pretty high for India.

Playing Combinations:

Sri Lanka

Niroshan Dickwella will be the key in the T20I as he will have a chance to play freely. Dilshan Munaweera could open alongside Dickwella. The onus will be on the skipper Upul Tharanga and the experienced Angelo Mathews to guide the side in the crucial game. The pinch hitters like Milinda Siriwardana and Thisira Perera will also have a big role to play.

Lasith Malinga will be playing his most preferred format and he will be under the scanner. It will be interesting to see how he plans against the side that knows a lot about him and has played him well historically. Suranga Lakmal could be the other pacer and the spinners’ role is expected to be played by Akila Dananjaya.

Predicted XI: Dilshan Munaweera, Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Upul Tharanga (c), Angelo Mathews, Seekkuge Prasanna, Milinda Siriwardana, Dasun Shanaka, Thisara Perera, Suranga Lakmal, Lasith Malinga, Akila Dananjaya

India

In the absence of Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli could open the innings alongside Rohit Sharma. KL Rahul might get another go in the team and if that happens, he would feature at No.3. Manish Pandey, who played a decent couple of knocks in the last 2 ODIs, will bat at the crucial No.4. Kedar Jadhav, MS Dhoni and Hardik Pandya at No. 5, 6 and 7 make a formidable lineup.

Bhuvenshwar Kumar, who bagged a fifer in the last ODI, has found his form back. His partner Jasprit Bumrah, on the back of the Man of the Series award, will be the go-to bowler for Kohli. It will be difficult to pick 2 spinners as all of Axar Patel, Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav did well in the ODI series. But Axar might get an edge due to his batting skills and also Chahal might be preferred for his wonderful 6 wicket haul, the last time he bagged against England.

Predicted XI: Virat Kohli (c), Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Manish Pandey, Kedar Jadhav, MS Dhoni (wk), Hardik Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Axar Patel, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah

The Indian side has been ruthless on the tour so far and one would expect nothing different in the T20I as well. The composition of the side is far better than the hosts and hence, they are the favorites to win again.

The prediction is for another one-sided Indian victory.

Do let us know your predictions in the comments section below.