India vs Sri Lanka 2021, 1st T20I preview: Can change of formats allow Lanka a fresh shot at success?

After the One-Day Internationals, India and Sri Lanka lock horns in a three-match Twenty20 International series against Sri Lanka at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo from Sunday. Having lost the ODIs, Lanka would aim at success in the shortest format.

India and Sri Lanka were involved in an intense three-match One-Day International series, in which India triumphed 2-1. Meanwhile, the format would now change and switch to the shortest format, with both sides locking horns in the opening Twenty20 International at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Sunday.

Lanka was at the receiving end despite putting in a courageous effort in the ODIs. However, it would look to mend ways in the shortest format and eye payback for the ODIs, as we present the preview for the opening T20I.

Team composition
As for the team, India is batting heavy and would look to exploit the conditions by scoring runs. Opener Prithvi Shaw would once again be in focus, along with skipper Shikhar Dhawan,wicketkeeper-batsman Ishan Kisan, Suryakumar Yadav, while Hardik Pandya's all-round skills would be watched out.

For Lanka, it is heavy in its bowling, as it would aim at stopping the barrage from the Indian batsmen. However, its heavily loaded bowling attack should not be confused with its highly talented batting line-up, with the likes of Avishka Fernando, Dasun Shanaka and many more being in the reckoning.

Injury concerns
None of the sides has any injury concerns a day before the game.

Head-to-head
As for the head-on clashes, in 19 T20Is, India leads 13-5. For the matches held in Sri Lanka, India leads 4-1 of the five games, while all those matches have been held in Colombo to date.

Weather and pitch report
As for the weather, thunderstorms are expected, while the temperature is likely to be around 29 degrees, with 81% humidity. The track is expected to play better initially and become slow later, with the side winning the toss looking to bat first. However, bowling first would not be a wrong choice either, as the track hasn't deteriorated as expected in the ODIs.

Probable XI
India: Prithvi Shaw, Shikhar Dhawan (c), Ishan Kishan (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Manish Pandey, Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya, Deepak Chahar, Rahul Chahar, Chetan Sakariya and Bhuvaneshwar Kumar (vc).
Lanka: Avishka Fernando, Minod Bhanuka (wk), Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka (c), Chamika Karunaratne, Dushmantha Chameera, Lakshan Sandakan and Kasun Rajitha/Isuru Udana.

Fantasy XI
Batsmen: Dhawan, Yadav, Shanaka, Fernando (vc), Shaw (c)- Dhawan and Shaw would give the perfect start, while Shaw's deadly form makes him the skipper. While Fernando would fire at number three, making him the deputy skipper, Yadav and Shanaka would consolidate in the middle-order.
Wicketkeeper: Kishan- He is undoubtedly the man in form, making him a no-brainer here.
All-rounders: De Silva, Hasaranga- It is the Lankan dup of de Silva and Hasaranga, who have been making an impact with the bat and the ball, respectively, while we feel it would be no different this term.
Bowlers: Chahar, Chameera, Sakariya- Chahar is the man in form in this department with his pace, while Chameera and Sakariya are sure to come in handy owing to their decent T20 attributes with the pace.

Match details
Date and day: July 25, 2021 (Sunday)
Venue: R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
Time: 8 PM (IST)
Where to watch (TV): Sony Ten, Sony Six, Sony Ten 3 and Sony Ten 4 (Also available in HD, along with regional languages)
Where to watch (Online): Sony LIV

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