India v Sri Lanka, 1st T20I - Result Predictions

Sri Lanka’s tour of India is on its last leg with the T20I series about to start on Wednesday. The Lankans have been outsmarted in both the Tests as well as the ODI series, which they lost by a 1-0 and 2-0 margin respectively. The 3-match T20I series will serve as the last opportunity for the visitors to salvage their pride.

Here’s what CricTracker predicts for the game:

Scenario 1: India win the toss

Toss Prediction: India will choose to bowl first

First Innings Score Prediction: 120-130

Result Prediction: India will win the match by 6 wickets

Scenario 2: Sri Lanka win the toss

Toss Prediction: Sri Lanka will choose to bowl first

First Innings Score Prediction: 150-160

Result Prediction: India will win the match by 20-30 runs

Head to Head Record

Total matches played – 11, India won – 7, Sri Lanka won – 4, No Result/ Tied – 0.

The match venue of Barabati Stadium, Cuttack holds unpleasant memories for the Indian team, who were bowled out for a meagre total of 92 runs, back in 2015 by South Africa. While the Lankans will look to seize the opportunity to prove their mettle in the shortest format, the Men in Blue will try to eradicate the woeful memories by putting up a stellar performance.

India

India clinched the ODI series on the back of consecutive good performances as a unit. Going into the T20I series, the opening pair can be the explosive duo of Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul, followed by young Shreyas Iyer, Dinesh Karthik and Manish Pandey in the middle-order. The experienced MS Dhoni can be entrusted with the keeping duties as well as the onus of finishing the Indian innings on a high.

The wiry Hardik Pandya can shoulder the important all-rounding role. Jasprit Bumrah and Jaydev Unadkat can constitute the pace pair while Yuzvendra Chahal and China-man Kuldeep Yadav can fulfil the spin responsibilities.

Predicted XI: Rohit Sharma (C), Lokesh Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Manish Pandey, Dinesh Karthik, MS Dhoni (wk), Hardik Pandya, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah, Jaydev Unadkat, Kuldeep Yadav

Sri Lanka

The opening combination for the Lankans can be made up by Upul Tharanga and Niroshan Dickwella. There are plenty of options in the batting as Sri Lankans can rely on Kusal Perera, Angelo Mathews, Asela Gunaratne and the skipper, himself for unleashing their power with the willow.

Apart from all-rounder Sachith Pathirana and Dasun Shanaka, Dushmantha Chameera and Nuwan Pradeep can serve as the front-line pacers, while Akila Dananjaya can be entrusted with the spin responsibilities.

Predicted XI: Thisara Perera (C), Upul Tharanga, Angelo Mathews, Kusal Perera, Niroshan Dickwella, Asela Gunaratne, Dasun Shanaka, Sachith Pathirana, Akila Dananjaya, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Pradeep

The prediction is for India to win the match and start the T20 series with a victory.

Do let us know of your predictions in the comments section below.