Last Updated on 2 months by Charbel Coorey

SL vs SA 1st T20 Dream11 Prediction Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | SL vs SA 1st T20 Dream11 Prediction Today | Sri Lanka vs South Africa 1st T20I Key Players | Colombo Pitch Report

Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

Sri Lanka:

• Charith Asalanka was Sri Lanka’s star batsman in the ODI series (most runs: 196 at an average of 65.33). Also, he scored two half-centuries in four domestic T20s recently, along with a score of 44 vs India. Key player.
• Kamindu Mendis is in outstanding touch. He has scored five consecutive 50+ scores in domestic matches (67 and 110 in List A, and 74, 53* and 66 in the SLC T20 Invitational League).
• Avishka Fernando is yet to grasp the T20 format (average of 13.15 in 20 T20Is). However, he has the potential to do so here. He has scored just 17 runs in three T20Is vs South Africa to date.
• Dhananjaya de Silva has a poor record vs SA (111 runs, avg. 15.85), but enjoys batting on this ground (227 runs, avg. 37.83).
• Watch out for Wanindu Hasaranga. The star all-rounder was player of the series against India, and is enjoying a fine year in T20s with 17 wickets in nine matches at an economy rate of 5.23.
• Dushmantha Chameera has the next-highest number of T20I wickets for Sri Lanka in 2021 (14 wickets in nine matches at an economy rate of 6.17). He was also player of the match in the third ODI with 29 runs and 2/16 off his four overs.
• Maheesh Theekshana enjoyed a dream ODI debut, taking 4/37. He has taken 10 wickets in nine T20s this year at a magnificent economy rate of just 4.23.

South Africa:

• Reeza Hendricks has the most runs of any current South Africa player vs Sri Lanka (5 inns, 199 runs, avg. 39.80, SR 127.56). This includes two 50+ scores.
• Janneman Malan missed out on the T20 World Cup squad, so eyes will be on how motivated he is here to prove the selectors wrong. His top order partner, Aiden Markram, will also be looking to make an impact in what is a fruitful year in T20Is for him (9 inns, 339 runs, avg. 37.66, SR 154.09).
• David Miller strikes at 135.47 vs Sri Lanka (196 runs, avg. 24.50). He will be key in the middle order for South Africa.
• World number one Tabraiz Shamsi will be looking to lead from the front in spinning conditions. He is having an outstanding year in T20Is, where he also won player of the series vs West Indies. His overall 2021 stats read: 14 matches, 24 wickets, avg. 12.20, econ. 5.32.
• Keshav Maharaj took six wickets in the ODI series at an average/economy rate of just 16.66/3.57.
• Kagiso Rabada has three wickets to his name in two T20Is vs Sri Lanka. Key man at the death.

Stats and Facts

• South Africa lead the head-to-head vs Sri Lanka 7-5 in T20Is.
• Sri Lanka have won their last two T20Is.
• Both teams are coming off series wins (Sri Lanka against India, and South Africa against West Indies and Ireland).

Possible Playing 11

Dinesh Chandimal is set to open and take the gloves. Kamindu Mendis is set to bat three. Maheesh Theekshana is likely to play after a dream ODI debut.

Sri Lanka: 1. Avishka Fernando, 2. Dinesh Chandimal (wk), 3. Kamindu Mendis, 4. Dhananjaya de Silva, 5. Charith Asalanka, 6. Dasun Shanaka (c), 7. Wanindu Hasaranga, 8. Ramesh Mendis, 9. Chamika Karunaratne, 10. Dushmantha Chameera, 11. Maheesh Theekshana

David Miller has recovered from his hamstring injury and is set to play. Lungi Ngidi has taken off for the IPL. Keshav Maharaj will skipper the side in Temba Bavuma’s injury-forced absence.

South Africa: 1. Janneman Malan, 2. Reeza Hendricks, 3. Aiden Markram, 4. David Miller, 5. Rassie van der Dussen, 6. Heinrich Klaasen (wk), 7. Wiaan Mulder, 8. George Linde, 9. Keshav Maharaj (c), 10. Kagiso Rabada, 11. Tabraiz Shamsi

R Premadasa Stadium Colombo Pitch Report and Weather

More turn is on the cards for this one, especially given it played a key role in Sri Lanka’s ODI series victory. The team batting second has won seven of the last 10 T20Is on this ground, but a decent score in the region of 140-150 here could be a tough chase.

There is a chance of rain interruptions during the match.

Dream11 Prediction

Note: Teams below are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these teams in time after the final playing XIs have been announced.

Option 1:

Option 2:

Match Prediction

Sri Lanka at home look tough to beat. However, South Africa also have the spinners to cause headaches. So, a score of 140-150 can be a winning one.

Also read: Fan2Play vs Dream11 – What’s the difference?