Table of Contents
Not a lot of people expected Sri Lanka to even put up a fight in the ODI series even though it was against a depleted Indian side. And if the first ODI was anything to go by, most people weren’t wrong. However, Dasun Shanaka and his men bounced back in style. They may have lost the series 1-2 but they gave India a run for their money in the last two ODIs and even went on to win the final ODI.
The focus now shifts to the shortest format. It is the year of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup and both teams will have one eye on the showpiece event as they head into this series. India’s form in T20I cricket has been top-notch. Since the start of 2020, they have recorded 10 wins and have lost just three – two against England earlier this year and one against Australia last year. In fact, they have been unbeaten in bilateral T20Is for eight series’ in a row now.
On the other hand, Sri Lanka have been abysmal in T20Is. Since October 2019, they have suffered 12 losses out of the 14 T20Is that they have played. They have just one win to show against their name and that came earlier this year against West Indies. Moreover, Sri Lanka are playing the first round of the T20 World Cup and will need to qualify for the Super 12s. They don’t have an easy group either. Hence, Sri Lanka really need to up their T20 game else they could be in for a shocker in the upcoming T20 World Cup.
India are without quite a few of their first-choice players who will walk into the T20I XI. Hence, it is an opportunity for the fringe players to push for a case and give the selectors a few headaches. This is the last set of T20Is that India are playing before the T20 World Cup. Thus, at least the certainties like Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Hardik Pandya, Yuzvendra Chahal would like to get back into some form. Meanwhile, the likes of Shikhar Dhawan, Suryakumar Yadav (if available) and the spinners will want to push for their case as well.
Meanwhile, like the ODIs, Sri Lanka are missing a few key names as well due to injury and suspension. They may not make too many changes to the side that won the third ODI but they will be hoping that Wanindu Hasaranga gets fit in time for the first T20I.
Key players
Avishka Fernando was Sri Lanka’s best batsman in the ODI series. The 23-year-old opening batsman got runs in every game and recorded scores of 33, 50 and 71 in the three games. That 71 in the final ODI was a match-winning one as he batted really smartly to take Sri Lanka to the brink before the lower order took them over the line. Avishka Fernando doesn’t have a great record in T20Is and he averages a mere 12.56. However, given his form, he will be crucial for Sri Lanka once again at the top of the order.
Akila Dananjaya featured in just one game in the ODI series and that was the third and final ODI. The mystery spinner bowled a fantastic spell and turned the game on its head as he picked up three wickets and broke the back of the Indian middle-order alongside Praveen Jayawickrama. India have had troubles against Dananjaya in the past. Hence, he could be the go-to man for Sri Lanka in the T20Is as well, especially with Wanindu Hasaranga doubtful due to an injury.
Shikhar Dhawan looked in good touch throughout the 50-over series. The stand-in Indian captain amassed 128 runs in three innings. However, out of which 86 came in the first ODI when he anchored the run-chase of 263. In the next two games, the left-handed opener got solid starts but he couldn’t convert them. Dhawan has been in and out of the T20I side. He was left out for the England series and with other players stepping up, he will be looking to stamp his authority in this series. Moreover, he is against one of his most favoured opponents – he has scored 289 runs at an average of 41.29 against Sri Lanka in T20Is. Hence, Dhawan will be the one to watch out for.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar is one of India’s first-choice fast bowlers in white-ball cricket. The Meerut-born cricketer came back with a bang from injury and had an excellent run against England in the T20I and ODI series. He was the most economical bowler across both series and across both sides and also picked up 10 wickets from six white-ball fixtures. However, he’s had an indifferent couple of games in Sri Lanka. Bhuvneshwar was the second-most expensive Indian bowler in the series and he could pick three wickets in two games. Thus, he will be in search of some consistency and will be looking to hit his straps ahead of the all-important T20 World Cup.
Prediction
Like ODI cricket, India have a far superior head to head record against Sri Lanka in T20Is as well. India have recorded 13 wins from 19 T20Is that these two sides have squared off. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka have won just five and one game was washed out. Since the start of the year 2016, these two teams have played each other in 13 T20Is. India have won 10 of them while Sri Lanka have won just two.
Sri Lanka have struggled big time in the shortest format and hence, India will be overwhelming favourites to win this first T20I despite missing a host of their first-choice players. The Shikhar Dhawan-led side have the quality and the depth which they have already shown in the ODI series. Sri Lanka will be hoping to gain confidence and momentum from their win in the third ODI. They will know that they face an uphill task against this Indian side.
