India vs Sri Lanka: Weather Forecast And Pitch Report Of Ekana Stadium, Lucknow Sri Lanka Tour of India 2022, 1st T20I

Lucknow’s Ekana Stadium will host the first of the three T20Is between India and Sri Lanka. The venue is one of the newest stadiums in the country. Lucknow winning the bid for an IPL franchise has made the BCCI think about starting the India vs Sri Lanka T20I series from this venue. 

After the first match in Lucknow, both teams move to Dharmasala for the next two T20Is (February 26, 27). The Test series will be followed by a two-match Test series. Mohali (March 4-8) will host the first Test, while Bengaluru will host the second Test (March 12-16). 

The Indian team that has been announced for the series sees the return of a few players like Ravindra Jadeja and Jasprit Bumrah. Both have recovered from their injuries and looks good to feature in the starting XI. As a part of BCCI’s rotation policy, Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant have been rested for the series. However, injuries to Deepak Chahar and Suryakumar Yadav will see the two players miss out on this series. 

For Sri Lanka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa and Avishka Fernando have been ruled out with injury concerns as well. Sri Lanka are fresh off a 4-1 series defeat against Australia in Australia. Now they have an Indian team with full confidence to counter against. India’s record at home is an enviable one and this Lankan side would find it difficult to win a series against the top-ranked T20I side at the moment.

India vs Sri Lanka: Weather Forecast & Pitch Report Of Ekana Stadium, Lucknow Sri Lanka Tour of India 2022, 1st T20I

Pitch Report

There are two kinds of pitches available. The BCCI has prepared pitches both of black and red soil and will decide on where the match will be played in due course of time. Spinners will have a part to play in the match proceedings with due also expected to play a part in the game. Both teams would ideally look to chase if they win the toss. 

Weather Report

Lucknow, being in the northern part of India will be a bit colder as compared to the other venues. Players from both teams will need to counter that. There is a less than 5 per cent chance of the rain playing spoilsport in the contest. 

Record At Ekana Stadium, Lucknow

Total T20Is- 7

• Teams won batting first- 4
• Teams won bowling first- 3
• Average 1st inns total- 151
• Average 2nd inns total- 128
• Highest total- 195/2 IND vs WI
• Highest chased- 159/4 SA vs IND
• Lowest defended- 156/8 AFG vs WI

Also Read: India vs Sri Lanka: Head To Head Records, Sri Lanka Tour of India 2022, 1st T20I