Last Updated on 7 years by Charbel Coorey
Another game, another thumping India win against Sri Lanka in the 1st T20I.
The T20I series began full of hope for Sri Lanka – an experienced team lining up against an India team without some of the best T20 players on the planet. They still have a chance to win this series, but who on earth thinks that is possible looking at the way they are playing? How do you bounce back after not only a disappointing performance in Cuttack, but such a disappointing 2017?
For India, it’d be nice to see them play a few more of their youngsters, instead of waiting till the 3rd T20I, where the series looks likely to be over by then. Players such as Basil Thampi, Washington Sundar, Deepak Hooda and Jaydev Unadkat would really benefit from playing a game with the pressure of the series still alive. Also, the opportunity to play with the likes of Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni would be a wonderful experience. Something to consider for India.
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| Yuzvendra Chahal was just too good in the 1st T20I |
For Sri Lanka, where to from here? It’s safe to say they picked arguably their best possible team in the first T20I, but failed miserably. Firstly, they looked flat and conceded too many runs with the ball, and then their batting matched that of a park team on a Saturday afternoon. They slumped to their biggest ever T20I loss, and are on a run of six straight losses in the format. Lose tonight and they’ll equal their worst ever run – seven straight losses, which was only last year.
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| Plenty to work on for Sri Lanka |
These are tough times indeed. It’s got to the point where plenty of fans are tired of seeing the one-sided contests – will there be a change in Indore?
Key to an India win
- Get on their knees, look to the heavens, and say a prayer or two (or three, or four).
- India forfeit the game.
- It starts raining heavily out of nowhere and Sri Lanka win a 5-over game on Duckworth Lewis.
Predicted teams
Stats & Facts:
- India have won their last five T20Is v Sri Lanka
- Since winning four T20Is in a row in early 2017 (2 v South Africa and 2 v Australia), Sri Lanka have won just one out of their next eight T20Is, including six straight losses.
- MS Dhoni at number four in T20Is – 244 runs in 11 innings, average 61 and strike rate 151.55.
- India have won 35 matches across all formats in 2017, the equal second most in history, and most since 2003. Australia won 35 and 38 in 1999 and 2003 respectively.
- Sri Lanka have lost 38 matches in 2017, the most in history, going past Zimbabwe’s 32 in 2015.
