Last Updated on 4 years by Charbel Coorey

WI vs SL 1st T20I Dream11 Prediction Possible Playing 11 Pitch Report | WI vs SL 1st T20 Dream11 Prediction Today | West Indies vs Sri Lanka 1st T20I Key Players | Antigua Pitch Report

International cricket returns to the Caribbean for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic put a halt to cricket around the globe. Two flawed teams meet in an important series in a T20 World Cup year, as they look to nail down their plans ahead of the global tournament in India later this year.

West Indies have lost 13 of their past 20 T20Is. However, the men in maroon always seem to find their groove when a T20 World Cup comes around. The return of Chris Gayle, who has been in sparkling form over the past six months, can go a long way to repairing the Windies’ poor record in the batting powerplay in recent times. In addition to Gayle, their squad possesses plenty of experience, and will be looking to fire right away.

Things look a little more grim for Sri Lanka. Without a win in international cricket for a year, the Lankans have had even more issues to contend with due to COVID-19, visa issues for their captain Dasun Shanaka and the resignation of bowling coach Chaminda Vaas just days after taking the job. So, their attention must move to cricket as quickly as possible, as a big tournament awaits in a matter of months.

Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

West Indies:

• Chris Gayle has only played six T20Is vs Sri Lanka with modest numbers (76 runs, avg. 19.00, SR 82.63). However, his form of late has been superb. He hit 288 runs in IPL 2020 at an average of 41.14 and strike rate of 137.14, and 107 runs in two innings in PSL 2021.
• Lendl Simmons scored the most runs in CPL 2020 last year (356, avg. 39.55, SR 122.33). Also, he scored 76 runs in two matches against SL in 2020, including a score of 67*.
• Nicholas Pooran is a danger man. He is yet to fire in T20Is (avg. of 21 and SR 124 in 21 matches), but his form in T20 leagues makes him one to watch. He hit the most sixes in IPL 2020.
• Interestingly, Kieron Pollard has a poor record vs SL (8 inns, 99 runs, avg. 14.14, SR 126.92). Can he turn that around in this series?
• Dwayne Bravo has 11 wickets in 11 games vs Sri Lanka. His partnership with Jason Holder will be key, along with spinners Fabian Allen and co.

Sri Lanka:

• Danushka Gunathilaka is coming off an excellent Lanka Premier League (LPL) campaign. He scored 476 runs in 10 innings at an average and strike rate of 59.50 and 144.68.
• Niroshan Dickwella had a strike rate of 148.35 in the recent LPL (9 inns, 270 runs, avg. 33.75). He will be key at the top of the order.
• The experience of Angelo Mathews will be key for Sri Lanka. He will be looking to improve his record vs WI, which reads: 9 inns, 151 runs, avg. 25.16, SR 131.30.
• Wanindu Hasaranga had a superb LPL campaign. He took 17 scalps in 10 matches (most of any bowler), as well as 127 runs at a strike rate above 160.
• Akila Dananjaya has 87 wickets in 74 T20 games. In his only match vs West Indies back in 2012, he took 1/16 in three overs.

Stats and Facts

• Sri Lanka have not won a T20I since beating Pakistan in October 2019 (seven defeats).
• West Indies have lost 13 of their past 20 T20Is. In those defeats, their powerplay batting has been a struggle (three wickets lost on average). More here.
• Sri Lanka have taken just two powerplay wickets in their last seven T20I defeats. More here.

Possible Playing 11

Oshane Thomas, Shimron Hetmyer and Sheldon Cottrell all failed fitness tests leading into this series. So, the Windies are looking at experience to serve them well here in the form of Gayle, Dwayne Bravo and Fidel Edwards.

West Indies: 1. Lendl Simmons, 2. Evin Lewis, 3. Chris Gayle, 4. Nicholas Pooran (wk), 5. Kieron Pollard (c), 6. Rovman Powell, 7. Fabian Allen, 8. Jason Holder, 9. Dwayne Bravo, 10. Akeal Hosein, 11. Fidel Edwards

Angelo Mathews will captain Sri Lanka in the absence of Dasun Shanaka.

Sri Lanka: 1. Niroshan Dickwella (wk), 2. Danushka Gunathilaka, 3. Oshada Fernando, 4. Dinesh Chandimal, 5. Angelo Mathews (c), 6. Thisara Perera, 7. Ramesh Mendis, 8. Wanindu Hasaranga, 9. Nuwan Pradeep, 10. Dushmantha Chameera/Lakshan Sandakan, 11. Akila Dananjaya

Coolidge Cricket Ground Antigua Pitch Report and Weather

This will be the first men’s international match at the Coolidge Cricket Ground. The women’s Windies team played Sri Lanka here in 2017, and scored above 140 on all three occasions. According to reports, the pitch is expected to take some turn, which will bring the spinners right into the game.

A warm and sunny day (28 degrees) is forecast for Antigua. There may be some dew in the evening, which could prompt the captain who wins the toss to bowl first.

Dream11 Prediction

Option 1:

Option 2:

Match Prediction

West Indies, at home, look good to beat a Sri Lanka side missing a host of its key players.

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