As the T20I action kicks off with IND vs SL in Pallekele this Saturday, both India and Sri Lanka are ushering in a new era. India is adjusting to life after the retirements of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja, with Suryakumar Yadav stepping up as the new captain. On the other hand, Sri Lanka has seen Angelo Mathews step away, and Charith Asalanka has taken over the leadership role from Wanindu Hasaranga. Both teams are also starting fresh with new head coaches—Gautam Gambhir for India and Sanath Jayasuriya for Sri Lanka, though Jayasuriya is in an interim position.
The fresh start for these teams comes with stark contrasts. India recently ended their ICC trophy drought by clinching the 2024 T20 World Cup, while Sri Lanka had a disappointing early exit in the same tournament. Following that, India sent a second-string squad to Zimbabwe, where they triumphed in the five-match T20I series 4-1. In contrast, Sri Lanka’s squad was engaged in the Lanka Premier League, where Charith Asalanka led the Jaffna Kings to victory.
Both Asalanka and Suryakumar have prior captaincy experience, with Asalanka having led Sri Lanka in two T20Is against Bangladesh earlier this year, and Suryakumar captaining in seven T20Is against Australia and South Africa in late 2023.
India will be without their premier bowler, Jasprit Bumrah, for this series. Sri Lanka, however, is facing several setbacks even before the series begins, including injuries to Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Thushara, and Binura Fernando, with the latter now hospitalized. Additionally, a flu outbreak has led to the inclusion of allrounder Ramesh Mendis as a standby.
In the spotlight: Matheesha Pathirana and Shubman Gill
Matheesha Pathirana shone in the Lanka Premier League, finishing as the joint second-highest wicket-taker with 15 wickets in nine matches. His performance in the death overs was particularly impressive, with an economy rate of 7.02, the best among bowlers who bowled at least five death overs. His experience in the IPL since 2022 adds valuable insight into bowling against Indian batters.
Shubman Gill has acknowledged that his T20I performances before the T20 World Cup were not up to par. Despite scoring 133 runs in eight T20Is from August 2023 until the World Cup, his IPL form was much better, with 426 runs at an average of 38.72 and a strike rate of 147.40. Although Gill did not make the World Cup squad due to the selection of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, he has been named vice-captain for both ODIs and T20Is. It’s now up to him to demonstrate his value.
Team news: India to consider three spinners?
Kusal Perera had a standout LPL season as an opener, but with Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis as the top choices for that position, Perera may compete for the No. 3 spot with Avishka Fernando.
Sri Lanka’s squad:
- Pathum Nissanka
- Kusal Mendis (wk)
- Avishka Fernando/Kusal Perera
- Kamindu Mendis
- Charith Asalanka (capt)
- Dasun Shanaka
- Wanindu Hasaranga
- Maheesh Theekshana
- Asitha Fernando
- Dilshan Madushanka
- Matheesha Pathirana
India might opt for Ravi Bishnoi as a third spinner over Khaleel Ahmed, with Shivam Dube, Rinku Singh, Sanju Samson, and Riyan Parag competing for a middle-order spot.
India’s squad:
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- Shubman Gill
- Rishabh Pant (wk)
- Suryakumar Yadav (capt)
- Hardik Pandya
- Shivam Dube
- Washington Sundar
- Axar Patel
- Arshdeep Singh
- Ravi Bishnoi/Khaleel Ahmed
- Mohammed Siraj
Pitch and conditions: Spin dominance
In the LPL, the average first-innings total at Pallekele was 185. Spinners had an economy rate of 7.64, significantly better than the fast bowlers’ economy of 10.58 runs per over. The weather forecast predicts rain during the day but clear conditions for the evening match.
Stats and trivia: India’s T20I supremacy
- Sri Lanka has defeated India only once in a bilateral T20I series, with a 2-1 victory at home in 2021.
- India has won 15 out of 16 T20Is in 2024, with their sole defeat coming against Zimbabwe earlier this month.
- Suryakumar Yadav is fifth on the list of most sixes in T20Is and is just five sixes away from moving into third place.
Charith Asalanka on captaining Sri Lanka: “Hardik Pandya has consistently been a key player, and we want him to continue his contributions from the World Cup.”
Suryakumar Yadav on Hardik Pandya’s role: “Hardik’s role remains crucial, and we look forward to his leadership continuing to benefit the team.”