India vs Sri Lanka 1st T20I, Guwahati: Preview, predictions, likely XIs

India and Sri Lanka start off their new decade in international cricket with a 3-match T20I series, to be played at Guwahati, Indore, and Pune. This will kickstart a year for both sides who, along with every other team, will play a string of T20Is as preparation for the end-of-the-year T20 World Cup in Australia.

India are coming off an unbeaten run of four T20I series (3-0 in the West Indies followed by three series at home – 1-1 against South Africa, 2-1 against Bangladesh, and 2-1 against West Indies). However, they had failed to win the three series before that.

Over the past couple of years, Virat Kohli has opted out of several limited-overs series, allowing Rohit Sharma to lead. This time, however, Rohit will be the one sitting out. Shikhar Dhawan will return to replace Rohit at the top. Partnering Dhawan will be KL Rahul, his competitor for the slot of Rohit’s partner in the T20I side.

Jasprit Bumrah will finally make his much-anticipated comeback to the side. With Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Deepak Chahar both ruled out, Bumrah will probably be partnered by Navdeep Saini. Shardul Thakur may have to wait for his chance.

Sri Lanka, on the other hand, were whitewashed 0-3 in their last series, in Australia. However, before that, a second-string Sri Lankan side had surprised everyone by sweeping top-ranked Pakistan 3-0 in their den. Before that, however, they had lost four consecutive series, two of them one-off.

Angelo Mathews’ return will provide much-needed experience to the side. In Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Niroshan Dickwella, Kusal Perera, Danushka Gunathilaka, and Mathews, Sri Lanka have a batting line-up that is more formidable than it seems. Lasith Malinga & co. will have a reasonable target to defend.

Head to head

At one point Sri Lanka held a 4-3 lead over India. However, 7 consecutive wins changed that equation. India now hold an 11-5 lead, including 6-2 at home.

Key players

Jasprit Bumrah (India): While Bumrah’s much-anticipated return will calm a few Indian nerves, it is paramount for him to get off to a start befitting his pedigree. Watch out for variations, those unplayable yorkers, and that awkward bounce.

Lasith Malinga (Sri Lanka): By his own admission, Bumrah has picked up several of his tricks from Malinga at Mumbai Indians. What better duel can there be between a protege and his teacher?

Likely XIs

India: Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul, Virat Kohli (c), Rishabh Pant (wk), Shreyas Iyer, Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Navdeep Saini, Jasprit Bumrah, Yuzvendra Chahal.

Sri Lanka: Danushka Gunathilaka, Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Kusal Perera, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Angelo Mathews, Dhananjaya de Silva, Isuru Udana, Lahiru Kumara, Lakshan Sandakan, Lasith Malinga (c), Kasun Rajitha.

Prediction

India to win comfortably.