IND v SL, Rajkot T20I: Big check for captain Hardik Pandya as Sri Lanka eye first-ever collection win in India

Sri Lanka tour of India: Sri Lanka shall be trying to win their first-ever T20I collection in India when Dasun Shanka’s high-flying facet takes on a younger unit led by Hardik Pandya within the remaining T20I in Rajkot on Satuday, January 7.

Dasun Shanaka vs Hardik Pandya in battle of captains in T20I collection decider (AP Photo)

By India Today Web Desk: Hardik Pandya shall be below appreciable stress for the primary time in his nascent stint as India’s T20I because the hosts will tackle a high-flying Sri Lankan crew within the collection decider in Rajkot on Saturday, January 7.

Hardik Pandya has led India in 7 T20Is and suffered his first defeat as captain when Sri Lanka gained the 2nd T20I of the continuing 3-match collection in Pune to degree the collection 1-1. The Gujarat Titans skipper has come throughout as a peaceful and composed chief however he shall be examined within the collection finale.

A proud dwelling report is on the road as India have been unbeaten in 11 T20I collection at dwelling since February 2019. Australia had been the final facet to win a T20I collection towards India in India.

Hardik has been stressing about testing his younger crew in tough conditions and a decider would be the excellent area to show the mettle of the facet.

SHANAKA’S SRI LANKA IMPRESS

Sri Lanka have ticked most packing containers within the ongoing collection, placing behind an atypical marketing campaign within the T20 World Cup. Sri Lanka have benefited from sturdy top-order performances to this point with Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka ensuring they don’t seem to be making a gift of the benefit to India within the powerplay. Mendis’s fifty (52 off 31) gave the islanders the platform to attain in extra of 200 in Pune.

Captain Dasun Shanka has continued his love affair with India. In the primary T20I, wherein Sri Lanka fell brief by simply 2 runs, Shanaka hit 45 from simply 27 balls. In the 2nd T20I, he went on a rampage, smashing 56 off simply 22 balls.

Shanaka’s explosive ending will give Sri Lanka the sting in Saturday’s decider and India shall be hoping to maintain the Sri Lankan captain quiet. However, within the final 5 T20Is, Shanaka has hit 255 runs at a strike fee in extra of 150.

Another thorn in India’s flesh within the ongoing collection has been Sri Lanka’s spin duo of Wanidu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana. The lack of ability of the top-order to get going has put stress on the center order, which has discovered it very exhausting to be fluent towards two world-class spinners.

For India, the highest order of Ishan Kishan and Shubman Gill wants to fireside. Gill, who made his T20I debut in Mumbai, has scored simply 12 runs n his first two matches and India shall be hoping the Gujarat Titans star will get going within the decider. Ruturaj Gaikwad is ready within the wings for the opening slot and Gill may not have a variety of time in his arms to show his mettle on the highest degree.

Rahul Tripathi shall be eager on making a greater impression within the 2nd T20I after a forgettable debut whereas Suryakumar Yadav will look to proceed to his run-scoring methods in T20Is.

Suryakumar would hope for higher help from captain Hardik Pandya. India’s lower-middle order has stepped up massive time and Axar Patel’s batting (65 off 31, 31 off 20) has turned out to be the largest plus for India on this collection. However, India shall be hoping Axar has little or no to do within the collection decider and the highest 5 get the job finished.

Arshdeep Singh had a horror night in Pune, bowling 5 no-balls and conceding 37 runs in two overs. India may look to present the left-arm pacer extra time to return to rhythm. Harshal Patel may discover his method again instead of Arshdeep.

Umran Malik and Shivam Mavi have managed to impress and Hardik could be hoping their weapons ship within the decider. The spin duo of Yuzvendra Chahal and Axar discovered their footing after a forgettable outing in Mumbai. Washington Sundar is warming the benches however India may stick with the Chahal-Axar mixture for Rajkot.

PITCH AND CONDITIONS: RAJKOT

Rajkot is predicted to supply one other run-fest and the groups profitable the toss will look to chase. The Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium has hosted 4 T20Is and 150-plus scores have been posted on every event.

The final time a T20I was performed in Rajkot (June 17, 2022), India posted 169 on the board and bowled South Africa out for 87 with Avesh Khan taking 4 wickets.

SQUADS: IND vs SL

India: Hardik Pandya (C), Ishan Kishan (wk), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav (VC), Deepak Hooda, Rahul Tripathi, Jitesh Sharma, Washington Sundar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Harshal Patel, Umran Malik, Shivam Mavi and Mukesh Kumar.

Sri Lanka: Dasun Shanaka (C), Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Kusal Mendis, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Wanindu Hasaranga, Ashen Bandara, Maheesh Theekshana, Chamika Karunaratne, Dilshan Madushanka, Kasun Rajitha, Dunith Wellalage, Pramod Madushan, Lahiru Kumara and Nuwan Thushara.

Published On:

Jan 6, 2023