Last Updated on 5 years by Charbel Coorey

IND vs SL 1st T20I Preview Dream11 Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | India vs Sri Lanka 1st T20I Dream11 | IND vs SL 1st T20I Dream11 | India vs Sri Lanka 1st T20I Preview Dream11 Prediction

Another India-Sri Lanka battle.

Now, before we go into meltdown as to how this is the most appropriate way for these two sides to kick off a new decade, it should be reminded that a World T20 is 10 months away. India have the chance to improve on four key errors they are making in T20Is. Sri Lanka have the chance to right-the-wrongs of an awful Australia tour, so soon after their superb 3-0 series win in Pakistan.

Guwahati hosts the opening game of the three match series, which is headlined by the return of Jasprit Bumrah as well as how the Sri Lanka youngsters will fare.

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Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

• Rohit Sharma is rested for this series. So, Shikhar Dhawan and KL Rahul will open the batting, with both looking to make their case to partner Rohit permanently in T20Is.
• KL Rahul has certainly made a strong case in recent times. He scored 62, 11 and 91 in the recent T20I series vs West Indies.
• Virat Kohli vs Sri Lanka in T20Is: 4 matches, 283 runs, average: 94.33, SR: 136.71.
• Rishabh Pant looked promising in the recent ODI series vs West Indies, with scores of 71 and 39 in the opening two ODIs. Can he carry it on here?
• Danushka Gunathilaka is a key man at the top for Sri Lanka. He has made four double-figure scores in his past five T20Is, but has only passed 20 twice. Needs to build on it. So too Avishka Fernando, who strikes at just 94.87 after 10 T20Is.
• Kusal Perera is the current highest run-scorer for Sri Lanka vs India in T20Is (174 at an average just under 30).
• Bhanuka Rajapaksa‘s recent scores in the Bangladesh Premier League: 29, 32, 6, 96*, 10. Can he further enhance his reputation?
• Jasprit Bumrah is back. The world’s premier white-ball bowler needs two wickets to surpass Ravi Ashwin (52) as India’s all-time leading wicket-taker in T20Is.
• Yuzvendra Chahal has the most wickets in India-Sri Lanka T20Is (14). Chahal is neck-and-neck with Bumrah for most wickets. He currently has 52 T20I wickets compared to Bumrah’s 51.
• Interestingly, Lasith Malinga averages 52 with the ball vs India in T20Is. However, he is one to watch as he bowls in the crunch overs.
• Isuru Udana is six wickets away from 150 in T20s. He has enhanced his reputation as a fine all-round player in the short format.

Head-to-Head

• India and Sri Lanka have played six bilateral T20I series.
• India have never lost. They have won five series with one drawn.

Possible Playing 11

Deepak Chahar and Bhuvneshwar Kumar are currently out injured, so Jasprit Bumrah’s inclusion is a big plus for India.

India: 1. Shikhar Dhawan, 2. KL Rahul, 3. Virat Kohli (c), 4. Shreyas Iyer, 5. Rishabh Pant (wk), 6. Shivam Dube, 7. Washington Sundar/Ravindra Jadeja, 8. Shardul Thakur, 9. Yuzvendra Chahal, 10. Navdeep Saini, 11. Jasprit Bumrah

According to ESPNCricinfo, captain Lasith Malinga confirmed that Avishka Fernando will open the batting with Danushka Gunathilaka. Also, Angelo Mathews could return to the T20 XI for the first time since 2018.

Sri Lanka: 1. Danushka Gunathilaka, 2. Avishka Fernando, 3. Kusal Mendis/ Bhanuka Rajapaksa, 4. Kusal Perera, 5. Niroshan Dickwella (wk), 6. Dhananjaya de Silva, 7. Dasun Shanaka, 8. Isuru Udana, 9. Wanindu Hasaranga, 10. Lakshan Sandakan/Lahiru Kamara, 11. Lasith Malinga

Guwahati Pitch Report and Conditions

The Barsapara Cricket Stadium is traditionally known for run-scoring, with a flat pitch and short boundaries on offer. However, with cold and cloudy (and rain) conditions, the bowlers could have say. Also, the likelihood of showers in the evening could tempt the captain who wins the toss to bowl first, as D/L comes into it.

Dream11 Prediction

Option 1:

Option 2:

Match Prediction

Conditions permitting, India should have enough experience and quality to take a 1-0 series lead.

Thanks for reading!

Also read: Is cricket blogging something you are looking to pursue more of in 2020? Download my free E-Book for tips!