IND vs SL 1st T20I Match Preview 2024: Both Teams Aim for a Strong Start — Let’s See

The Indian team is currently on a tour of Sri Lanka. On the tour, India has to play a three-match T20 series against Sri Lanka from July 27. After the T20 series, both the teams will also compete against each other in a three-match ODI series. The first match of the T20 series will be played at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Sri Lanka. Suryakumar Yadav will be seen captaining the Indian team in T20. In such a situation, with the new captain, the Indian team would like to perform amazingly in the series.

IND vs SL Match Preview

With the newly appointed coach and captain duo of Gautam Gambhir and Suryakumar Yadav, the Indian team will try to leave a special mark in the three-match T20 International series against Sri Lanka starting here from Saturday. Two-time World Cup winner Gambhir is the head coach while Suryakumar, one of the best T20 batsmen, will start his new innings as the captain in this shorter format of the game. The selection committee ignored Suryakumar’s less experience as captain and handed him the command of the team. This change in the Indian team has come after winning the World Cup last month and the retirement of Rohit, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja from T20 international cricket.

When the Indian team is going through a phase of change, limited-overs team vice-captain Shubman Gill might be seeing this as an opportunity to cement his place. Not only him, but other players like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rinku Singh, and even Ryan Parag would like to do the same. Akshar Patel is all set to replace Jadeja in the team. Apart from them, India also has good all-rounders in the form of Hardik, Shivam Dubey, and Washington Sundar.

Jasprit Bumrah has been rested from this tour and in his absence, Arshdeep Singh and Mohammed Siraj would like to take full advantage of the fast bowler-friendly conditions here and strengthen their place in the team.

If we look at team Sri Lanka, they look weak in the fast bowling department as their two experienced bowlers Dushmantha Chameera (bronchitis and respiratory infection) and Nuwan Thushara (finger fracture) have been ruled out of the series. Asitha Fernando and Dilshan Madushanka have been included in the team in their place. Captain Wanindu Hasaranga, coach Chris Silverwood, and consultant coach Mahela Jayawardene stepped down from their posts after Sri Lanka’s early exit from the T20 World Cup. Sri Lanka has appointed Sanath Jayasuriya as interim coach who has asked his team to take full advantage of the absence of India’s star players but is also well aware of his team’s weaknesses.

Like India, Sri Lanka will also start a new era. They have handed over the responsibility of captaincy to experienced batsman Charith Asalanka. Sri Lanka would like to take advantage of home conditions to win. They have many experienced players including former captain Dasun Shanaka, Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis, and Dinesh Chandimal.

IND vs SL, 1st T20 Match Details

Series: IND vs SL 1st T20I

When: 27 July 2024

Where: Pallekele International Cricket Stadium

Where to watch: Sony LIV app and the SONY Sports network.

IND vs SL T20 Squads

India T20I squad: Suryakumar Yadav (c), Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rinku Singh, Riyan Parag, Rishabh Pant (wk), Sanju Samson (wk), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Khaleel Ahmed, Mohammed Siraj.

Sri Lanka T20I squad: Dinesh Chandimal, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis (wk), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Charith Asalanka (c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka, Chamindu Wickramasinghe, Binura Fernando, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka, Matheesha Pathirana, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Welalage