IND vs SL Match Preview- 1st T20I, India Tour of Sri Lanka 2024

After winning the T20 World Cup, India takes on Sri Lanka in a three-match T20I and ODI series. The first T20I will be played in Pallekele on July 27. All the T20Is will be played in Pallekele followed by the ODIs in Colombo.

IND vs SL Date and Venue

The IND vs SL first T20I will be played in Pallekele on July 27, Saturday from 7 pm IST.

IND vs SL Match Preview- 1st T20I, India Tour of Sri Lanka 2024

India

This is India's first assignment under their new coach Gautam Gambhir. His success with KKR in the IPL previously this year prompted the BCCI to make him the coach of the team after Rahul Dravid.

The selection committee led by Ajit Agar along with Gambhir's opinion named Suryakumar Yadav as the captain of the side ahead of Hardik Pandya.

Shubman Gill has been named the vice-captain of the side. Many players from the Indian side recently played against Zimbabwe. Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal are major absentees in this Indian T20I squad.

India Squad

Suryakumar Yadav (C), Shubman Gill (VC), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rinku Singh, Riyan Parag, Rishabh Pant (WK), Sanju Samson (WK), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Khaleel Ahmed, Mohd. Siraj

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Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka will be led by Charith Asalanka. He replaced Wanindu Hasaranga as the T20I skipper of the side. Heading into the first T20I, Sri Lanka have major injury concerns with Dushmantha Chameera and Nuwan Thusara ruled out of the series.

Thusara picked up a thumb injury at practice while Chameera is yet to recover from a respiratory infection. Dilshan Madhushanka has been named as Thusara's replacement. Angelo Mathews and Dhanajaya de Silva have been left out while Dinesh Chandimal and Kusal Perera come back.

With the presence of Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Mathessha Pathira, and now with the addition of Dilshan Madhushanka, the Lankan bowling attack looks formidable.

Sri Lanka Squad

Charith Asalanka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Janith Perera, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Chamindu Wickramasinghe, Matheesha Pathirana, Dilshan Madushanka Asitha Fernando, Binura Fernando

IND vs SL Key Battles

Suryakumar Yadav vs Wanindu Hasaranga

Hasaranga is a clever operator with the ball in helpful conditions at home. His battle with SKY might very well dictate the game. Yadav is a very good player against pace as he uses the angles well. Hasaranga might just make him fall into his trap.

Shubman Gill vs Matheesha Pathirana

Gill has been backed as someone who can be a potential future captain of India. Thus he has to show the glimpses by playing this series with responsibility. How he negates the threat of Pathirana will be an interesting observation.

Yashasvi Jaiswal vs Dilshan Madushanka

The left-arm Sri Lanka pacer can pose problems for this Indian southpaw. He bowls with a deceptive pace and has a sharp bouncer which can trouble Jaiswal. He has been out to short-pitched deliveries previously.

IND vs SL Key Players

For India, SKY. Gill Jaiswal and Hardik Pandya will be key with the bat. With the ball, the onus will be on Arshdeep Singh, Ravi Bishnoi, and Mohd Siraj.

For Sri Lanka, skipper Charith Asalanka, Kusal Perera, and Kusal Mendis will be key with the bat. With the ball, the spins twins Hasaranga and Theekshana will be key. Matheesha Pathirana and Dilshan Madushanka will be key pacers.

IND vs SL Weather and Pitch Report

There is a forecast of rain throughout the next week in Pallekele. The match starts at 7 pm IST. The temperature will be around 23 degrees during the evening with almost a 15-20 percent chance of rain. There will be consistent rain throughout the morning and evening as well. Overall, there is a threat of rain playing sports.

Conclusion

India are the number one ranked T20I side heading into this series, while Sri Lanka are placed eighth. In 29 T20Is between the two sides, India have won 19 games while Sri Lanka nine games. One match ended in no result.

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