India will be looking to keep the momentum as they face Sri Lanka in the upcoming T20 series after their ruthless performance in Australia. MS Dhoni’s men recently whitewashed Australia in Australia and will be looking to start with a win in front of the home supporters in Pure.
Also read: India vs Sri Lanka head to head in T20 Internationals [Records]
The Sri Lankan team is going through a rebuilding phase as they bid adieu to two of their legends in-form of Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara. Captain Dinesh Chandimal will be looking to have a good look at his players, who are coming here after enduring a hard time in New Zealand.
India, who have rested their inform batsmen and vice-captain Virat Kohli for this series before the upcoming Asia Cup T20 and ICC World T20. India will be looking their strong batting lineup can come to the party and the spinners can bring back the memories from the end of last years.
Sri Lanka will be without their leader of the bowling attack Lasith Malinga and their usual captain and match winner Angelo Mathews due to injury problems. Sri Lanka will also miss the services of Nuwan Kulasekara, Rangana Herath and Nuwan Pradeep, who were not available for selection due to injuries.
This will be a test for the young Sri Lankan side and an opportunity for the youngsters to impress the selectors ahead of the upcoming Asia Cup T20 and ICC World T20.
India vs Sri Lanka 2016 live streaming details:
TV Channel: Star Sports 1, HD1 (English) and 3, HD3 (Hindi)
Online Stream: www.starsports.com
Date: February 9, Tuesday
Time: 07:30 PM IST
Venue: Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune
For live scores and updates, visit Sportskeeda’s live card.
Team News
India
India will be looking to keep the winning combination intact after their heroics in Down Under. In place of Virat Kohli will be replaced by Ajinkya Rahane, who was injured and thus was rested for the T20 series in Australia. Youngsters Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah will get the chance to continue their good performance in their home debut.
Sri Lanka
The Sri Lankan cricket team is without five of their first-team players due to injury. Dinesh Chandimal will lead this young side in the absence of Angelo Mathews. Veteran players like Dilhara Fernando and Chamara Kapugedara will get the opportunity to showcase their metal. This is a big opportunity for the young Sri Lankan players to make an impact before the big two tournaments.
India Vs Sri Lanka 1st T20 Squad (possible)
India XI
Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Ajinkya Rahane, Suresh Raina, Yuvraj Singh, MS Dhoni (C & WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Hardik Pandya, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ashish Nehra, Jasprit Bumrah.
Sri Lanka XI
Dinesh Chandimal (c & wk), Danushka Gunathilaka, Seekkuge Prasanna, Milinda Siriwardana, Chamara Kapugedera, Dasun Shanaka, Thisara Perera, Dilhara Fernando, Sachithra Senanayake, Jeffrey Vandersay, Dushmantha Chameera.
Pitch & Conditions
The Pune pitch is expected to offer very little to the pace bowlers. With the sun beating down and a maximum temperature of 34 C, this looks like the perfect win the toss and bat first pitch. Dew is likely to be an issue which will make life difficult for the spinners. India will want to bat first and give their bowlers something to bowl at.
Recent Form
Sri Lanka: L-L-L-L-L (most recent first)
India: L-W-W-W-W
Key Stats
- India needs to win the series to keep their No.1 T20 ranking intact.
- Sri Lanka lost their last five international limited-overs matches.
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