India vs Sri Lanka 1st T20I: Fantasy XI Prediction, Team Lineups, Captain and Vice-Captain Picks, Toss, and Venue Insights
India is set to embark on a new chapter in white-ball cricket as they face Sri Lanka in a three-match T20I series beginning in Pallekele on Saturday, July 27th. Following the World Cup triumph in the United States and the Caribbean, stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have retired from T20I cricket. Suryakumar Yadav, known for his dynamic batting, will now lead the Indian team as their new captain.
This series also marks the start of Gautam Gambhir’s tenure as head coach, taking over from Rahul Dravid. Currently, India holds the number 1 ranking in T20I cricket, while Sri Lanka is positioned at number 8. Charith Asalanka will lead a formidable Sri Lankan side that could present a stiff challenge to India on home soil.
Likely Playing XIs
India is likely to field a team with a strong spin attack, including Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, and Ravi Bishnoi. Yashasvi Jaiswal is expected to open the batting alongside Shubman Gill. On the other hand, Sri Lanka boasts a solid batting lineup featuring Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Asalanka, and Avishka Fernando. Key bowlers for Sri Lanka will include the lethal duo of Wanindu Hasaranga and Matheesha Pathirana.
India’s Probable XI:
- Batters: Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Rinku Singh
- All-rounders: Hardik Pandya, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel
- Wicketkeeper: Rishabh Pant
- Bowlers: Arshdeep Singh, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohammed Siraj
Sri Lanka’s Probable XI:
- Batters: Avishka Fernando, Charith Asalanka (c), Pathum Nissanka
- All-rounders: Wanindu Hasaranga, Dasun Shanaka
- Wicketkeepers: Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal
- Bowlers: Matheesha Pathirana, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, Binura Fernando
Key Statistical Performances
India
Yashasvi Jaiswal Yashasvi Jaiswal has made an impressive start to his T20I career, scoring 643 runs in 19 innings with an average of 37.8 and a strike rate of 162.8. He has already notched up five fifties and one century.
Ravi Bishnoi Ravi Bishnoi has emerged as a crucial wicket-taker for India in T20I cricket. He has claimed 42 wickets in 29 innings, with an average of 19.26, an economy rate of 7.18, and a strike rate of 16.
Players to Watch (India)
Rinku Singh Rinku Singh has been a revelation in the death overs, establishing himself as a powerful finisher. He has scored 369 runs in 11 innings when batting first, boasting an average of 92.3 and a strike rate of 182.7.
Suryakumar Yadav Widely regarded as one of the greatest T20I batters, Suryakumar Yadav (SKY) has an average of 43.3 and a strike rate of 167.7, making him a vital player for India.
Sri Lanka
Avishka Fernando Despite a stellar performance in the ongoing Lanka Premier League, Avishka Fernando has struggled in T20Is. He has scored 341 runs in 33 innings with a modest average of 11 and a strike rate of 92.9. However, this series presents an opportunity for him to turn his T20I fortunes around.
Wanindu Hasaranga Wanindu Hasaranga is a world-class spinner with an exceptional T20I record. He has taken 110 wickets in 66 innings, with an average of 15.4, an economy rate of 6.8, and a strike rate of 13.5.
Players to Watch (Sri Lanka)
Kusal Mendis Kusal Mendis, a destructive top-order batter, has been in exceptional form in the 2024 Lanka Premier League. He boasts a strike rate of nearly 135 in all T20Is.
Matheesha Pathirana Pathirana has proven to be a T20 specialist, with 93 wickets in 63 matches at a strike rate of 13.8, making him a significant threat to opponents.
Team Head-to-Head Record
India has a dominant record against Sri Lanka in T20Is, winning 19 out of the 29 matches played between the two teams.
Last 5 T20Is:
- India won: 3
- Sri Lanka won: 2
Overall T20Is:
- Matches: 29
- India won: 19
- Sri Lanka won: 9
- No result: 1
Venue and Pitch
The Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy has hosted 23 T20Is. The team batting first has won 8 of these encounters, while the team chasing has won 12 matches, with 2 matches ending in a tie. Captains winning the toss have chosen to bat first on 12 occasions and to chase on 11. Interestingly, winning the toss in Pallekele seems to be a disadvantage, as teams that win the toss have only won 9 out of 22 results, giving them a win probability of 40.9%.
Since 2016, the average first-innings score at Pallekele is 179, indicating it is a high-scoring venue. The average score while chasing is 159. The pitch is favorable for batters but offers assistance to both pace and spin bowlers. Fast bowlers have a better strike rate, while spinners have been more economical.
Match Prediction
India, with its strong batting lineup and quality spin attack, is favored to win against Sri Lanka. Considering the relative strengths of both teams, India has a 65% chance of winning the first T20I in Pallekele.
Fantasy XI
For fantasy cricket enthusiasts, here’s a suggested XI featuring seven players from India and four from Sri Lanka.
Wicketkeepers: Dinesh Chandimal, Kusal Mendis
Batters: Yashasvi Jaiswal (C), Rinku Singh, Suryakumar Yadav
All-rounders: Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Wanindu Hasaranga (VC)
Bowlers: Ravi Bishnoi, Maheesh Theekshana, Arshdeep Singh
Backup Players:
- Batter: Avishka Fernando
- Bowler: Matheesha Pathirana
- All-rounder: Washington Sundar
As India steps into a new era of T20I cricket, fans eagerly await to see how the new leadership and coaching changes will impact their performance. This series against Sri Lanka will be a significant test for the new captain Suryakumar Yadav and coach Gautam Gambhir. With both teams showcasing a mix of experienced and emerging talent, the series promises exciting and competitive cricket.
