Sri Lanka vs India 2021, 1st T20I- Sri Lanka’s Predicted XI

Sri Lanka will take on India in a three-match T20I series on their home soil. The Dasun Shanaka-led side lost to India 2-1 in the ODI series but managed to finish the tussle on a winning note after outplaying India the 3rd ODI by 3 wickets. Now, the home team will aim to pull the T20I series in their favor. Sri Lanka vs India 1st T20I match will be played on Sunday (July 25) at R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.

Before winning the third ODI by 3 wickets, Sri Lanka lost the first two games to India. They lost the first ODI by 7 wickets. In the 2nd ODI, Dasun Shanaka and boys had to face defeat by 3 wickets despite a solid bowling attack in the 2nd innings.

Later, they made an outstanding comeback in Sri Lanka vs India 3rd ODI, dominating India in both bowling and batting departments. As Sri Lanka vs India 1st T20I is all set to take place, here we talk about Sri Lanka’s predicted XI in the match.

Sri Lanka vs India 2021, 1st T20I- Sri Lanka’s Predicted XI

Avishka Fernando

Avishka Fernando is the first player who is definitely going to be part of the of playing XI in Sri Lanka vs India 1st T20I. The right-handed batsman was the highest run-getter in the ODI series with 159 runs in three games. His 76-run knock in the 3rd ODI set the backbone for Sri Lanka’s victory in the match. He also hit a 50-run knock in the 2nd ODI.

Minod Bhanuka (Wicketkeeper)

Minod Bhanuka was the wicketkeeper of Sri Lanka in the three ODIs. The wicket-keeper batsman scored 27 and 36 in the 1st and 2nd ODI respectively. In the third match, he was dismissed for just 7 runs. However, he gave great support to Avishka Fernando as an opener. He will most probably be picked in the playing XI by the team in the 1st T20I.

Bhanuka Rajapaksa

Bhanuka Rajpaska was gone for a duck in the 2nd ODI, however, he made an amazing comeback in the 3rd ODI, smashing 65 runs. His 111 runs partnership with Avishka Fernando was the key reason for Sri Lanka’s successful chase in the match. In the 1st ODI, the left-handed batsman smacked 27 runs. Rajapaksa is the best choice for the team at the no.3 spot and he will make it to the playing XI in Sri Lanka vs India 1st T20I.

Dhananjaya de Silva

Dhananjaya de Silva largely failed to make an impact with the bat in the three ODIs. He piled up 43 runs in the ODI series after hitting 14, 32, and 2 in the three matches. However, he managed to pick 2 wickets while bowling. The bowling all-rounder is a bonus addition to the team as he has the ability to bat as well as bowl. Sri Lanka will most probably retain De Silva in the playing XI in the 1st T20I.

Charith Asalanka

Charith Asalanka emerged as the highest run-getter for Sri Lanka in the ODI series. The left-handed batsman scored 127 runs in three matches at an average of 42.33. The bowling all-rounder could not pick any wicket in the 1st match in his three overs and was restrained from bowling in the other two matches. However, he did a great job with the bat scoring 38, 65, and 24 runs in the three matches respectively. With his good batting show, he is highly likely to be picked in the playing XI in Sri Lanka vs India 1st T20I.

Dasun Shanaka (Captain)

With just 55 runs in 3 innings, Sri Lanka skipper Dasun Shanaka did not manage to make an impact with the bat. However, he did manage to pick 2 wickets in the series, picking 1 wicket each in the 2nd and 3rd ODI. In the absence of regular skipper Dimuth Karunaratne, Shanaka is leading the side in the tournament. Although he couldn’t give an outstanding performance, he must get the credit for the team’s victory in the 3rd ODI.

Ramesh Mendis

Ramesh Mendis only played Sri Lanka vs India 3rd ODI. Bating at no.7 in the match, he scored crucial unbeaten 15 runs off 18 balls at the end, when Sri Lanka lost 3 wickets in quick succession. Mendis managed the pressure well and did not lose his wicket as Sri Lanka were 7 wickets down and needed just a few runs for victory. He might also make his way into the playing XI in Sri Lanka vs India 1st T20I.

Chamika Karunaratne

Chamika Karunaratne played two crucial knocks in the first two ODIs. He scored unbeaten 43 off 55 and 44 off 33 in the first two matches. His knocks helped Sri Lanka to accumulate maximum runs in the death overs. He could only pick 1 wicket but bowled at a good economy of under 4 in the 2nd and 3rd ODI. With his good batting show, he is another player that Sri Lanka might pick in the 1st T20I game against India.

Akila Dananjaya

Akila Dananjaya bowled a magnificent spell in Sri Lanka vs India 3rd ODI. His three-wicket haul helped Sri Lanka to crush India’s middle-order and restrict India to a low score of 225 in the match. The right-arm off-spinner picked 3 wickets for 44 runs in his 10 overs-spell. With his magnificent show in Sri Lanka’s only victory game, he is expected to be picked in playing XI in Sri Lanka vs India 1st T20I.

Praveen Jayawickrama

Praveen Jayawickrama was another bowler who played a huge role in Sri Lanka’s effective bowling attack against India in the 3rd ODI. In his only game, the left-arm spinner picked 3 wickets for 59 runs in his 10 overs. He picked the crucial wickets of Sanju Samson, Manish Pandya, and Hardik Pandya in the match. With his impressive show, Jayawickrama is another bowler that Sri Lanka might pick in the 1st T20I.

Dushmantha Chameera

Dushmantha Chameera went wicketless in the first two ODI games. However, the right-arm pacer made a great comeback in the 3rd ODI, picking 2 wickets. He also picked the crucial wicket of Shikhar Dhawan in the 3rd ODI. Chameera is the best option of pacer that Sri Lanka has in the squad. He is highly likely to be retained in the playing XI in Sri Lanka vs India 1st T20I.