India vs Sri Lanka, India vs Sri Lanka 2020, Today Match Prediction 05 Jan 2020

ind vs srl Match Prediction & Analysis

Host India will be looking to get off to a winning start when they take on Sri Lanka in the opening game of the T20I series played at Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati on Sunday.

Indian Captain Virat Kohli will be hoping that the side can continue their winning ways in this three-match series. Shikhar Dhawan and Jaspreet Bumrah make their return to the T20 squad after fully recovering from injuries. The home side will be looking to field their best combination for this opening fixture.

On the other hand, Sri Lanka will be looking to turn their fortunes around in the T20 format. The side will be looking to deliver a clinical performance with bat and ball in this opening fixture.

TEAMS PREVIEW

India Preview

Virat Kohli-led unit will be looking to deliver a clinical performance with bat and ball in this T20I series opener. Shikhar Dhawan has been included in the T20 squad. Vice-captain Rohit Sharma has been rested for this T20I series. In the absence of Sharma, Dhawan will be looking to make an impression with the bat in this opening fixture.

Lokesh Rahul has been a bankable performer for the side at the top of the innings in the T20 format. Since January 2019, Rahul has scored 356 runs in 9 outings at an average of 44.50 with four half-centuries to his name.

Indian Captain Virat Kohli has produced phenomenal numbers for India in the T20 format. Since January 2019, Kohli has topped the batting charts for the side and accumulated 466 runs in 10 innings with five half-centuries to his name. In the absence of Sharma, India will be relying on Virat Kohli to deliver notable scores in this three-match T20I series.

Shreyas Iyer, Shivam Dube and Ravendra Jadeja will be given the task of producing quick runs at the back end of the innings.

In the bowling department, the side will be relying on the likes of Jaspreet Bumrah, Shardul Thakur and Navdeep Saini to make crucial breakthroughs.

Washington Sundar and Kuldeep Yadav will fight for a place in the playing XI for this opening game of the series.

India Predicted Playing XI:

Virat Kohli (captain), Shikhar Dhawan, Lokesh Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Shivam Dube, Rishabh Pant (wk), Ravendra Jadeja, Washington Sundar/Kuldeep Yadav, Jaspreet Bumrah, Navdeep Saini, Shardul Thakur

Sri Lanka Preview

The visitors will be looking to adjust to the conditions and deliver a decent performance in this opening game of the series. Captain Lasith Malinga will be hoping that senior players like Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, and Angelo Matthews can deliver the goods with the bat in this series.

Promising players like Bhanuka Rajapaksa and Avishka Fernando will be keen to make an impression with the bat on their first trip to India. In five matches played, Rajapaksa has scored 131 runs at an average of 32.75 with one half-century to his name. Avishka Fernando has shown the ability to produce quick runs in the initial Powerplay overs.

Isuru Udana, Dasun Shanaka and wicket-keeper Niroshan Dickwella have the ability to produce quick runs in the later stages of the innings.

In the bowling department, the side will be relying on the likes of Lasith Malinga, Lahiru Kumara, and Wanindu Hasaranga to make crucial breakthroughs. Leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga has delivered splendid performances for Sri Lanka in the T20 format. In 8 matches played, Wanindu Hasaranga has claimed 12 wickets at an economy rate of 7.94. He will be looking to continue his excellent form in this three-match T20I series.

Sri Lanka Predicted Playing XI:

Lasith Malinga (c) Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Angelo Matthews, Dasun Shanaka, Isuru Udana, Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Wanindu Hasaranga, Lahiru Kumara

Weather Conditions

The wicket prepared for the game might offer assistance to the quick bowlers in the initial Powerplay overs. The batsmen will need to see off the new-ball in order to score big runs on this surface. The weather forecast for the game to be played on Sunday is expected to be partly cloudy with light winds.

Venue Details

Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati is going to host the opening T20I game of the series between India and Sri Lanka. India will take heart from the fact that they have won last eight matches out of nine played against Sri Lanka.

Toss: To Bowl

Both the teams will be keen to bowl first and make use of fresh pitch conditions at Guwahati. The only T20 game played at this venue was won by side batting second.