India
Sri Lanka
India vs Sri Lanka: Team India are all set to face Asia Cup champions, Sri Lanka, in the first T20I in the three-match series on Tuesday. The match is going to take place at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
Men in Blue were in superb form during the bilateral series last year and will be hoping to continue the winning run in the new year as well. Hardik Pandya will be leading Team India in the T20I series in absence of skipper Rohit Sharma.
The thumb injury that Rohit suffered during the ODI series in Bangladesh last month has not yet completely healed. Virat Kohli will also not be part of the series as he has been given rest.
On the other hand, the Sri Lankan team will be motivated to perform better this time around on Indian soil after suffering a 3-0 whitewash last year. After defeating India by a margin of six wickets in the Asia Cup last September during the Super Four round – the visitors will be optimistic.
Our expert analysis says that Team India will dominate Sri Lanka in the first T20I and it will be a run fest.
The betting tip is...
India wil Win
IndiaSri LankaSuryakumar Yadav will be once again key for Team India as he has been the man in form over the last year or so. In the bowling department, Arshdeep Singh and Umran Malik will be men to watch.
Ishan Kishan (wk), Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav, Deepak Hooda, Hardik Pandya (c), Sanju Samson, Washington Sundar, Harshal Patel, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Umran Malik
During the upcoming T20I series, Wanindu Hasaranga will pose a major threat to the Indian batters, as he can bring the game to an end.
Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Avishka Fernando, Charith Asalanka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dasun Shanaka (c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Lahiru Kumara, Dilshan Madushanka
Both teams look pretty balanced on paper - but the experience will be crucial and will hand an advantage to Team India. In addition to that, even home conditions will help Indian bowlers and batters.
