India will be playing Sri Lanka in a 3-match T20I series. It will be the first match for some of the T20 World Cup champions after beating South Africa in the final. There is a lot to look forward to in the tournament. For Sri Lanka, it would be a chance to return on a good note following a forgettable campaign in the T20 World Cup 2024. They had the domestic tournament recently concluded.
The Lankan Premier League 2024 would’ve probably helped a big deal for the players of Sri Lanka. With the confidence in their play, the home side would be hoping to put up a tough fight against the visiting side. They have some of the players who are in form. The key would be to put the bad memories behind and perform well as a unit to give India a run for the money. With a good performance, they can gain the love of the fans back.
Also Check: Predicting Sri Lanka’s Playing XI for their first T20I against India
Here are the three Sri Lankan players to watch out for from the first T20I:
Charith Asalanka
Charith Asalanka has been one of the best middle-order batters in LOIs since his debut. The Southpaw has been able to perform well for Sri Lanka in both T20Is and ODIs. Whenever his side finds themselves in pressure, Asalanka steps up and pulls them out of the trouble. He will be key for Sri Lanka to have any chance against India.
Ahead of the T20I series, Asalanka was named the skipper of the side. He won the LPL as a skipper and would be hoping to replicate the success in the internationals. He will be key for Sri Lanka both as a skipper and as a batter. If required, he can be handy as a part-time spinner. Charith would be hoping to make an impact under his new role.
Dilshan Madushanka
Dilshan Madushanka was the leading wicket-taker for Sri Lanka in the ODI World Cup 2023. It impressed a lot of owners in the IPL who tried to get him in their squad. It was Mumbai Indians who bid the highest to get him in their squad. A bad fate meant that an injury cost the left-arm pacer an opportunity to showcase his talent in the IPL for the first time.
His injury also ruled him out of the T20 World Cup 2024. In the absence of Nuwan Thushara, he will be the key pacer for the home side. Dilshan can swing the ball early in the innings. He can deliver cutters and slower ones with the old ball and trouble the batters. His spell with the ball can determine the fate of Sri Lanka against a side like India.
Dunith Wellalage
Dunith Wellalage hasn’t featured a lot for Sri Lanka in the recent past. He did well in the Asia Cup 2023, especially against India where he nearly pulled a massive win against the T20 world champions all by himself. His performances did not get a lot of recognition. Sri Lanka did not give him a longer run. But the youngster made a comeback in the LPL 2024.
Given his hunger to succeed, one can expect the emerging player to come all guns blazing. As a batter, he can come lower down the order and anchor the innings. After getting set, he can attack the bowlers to provide a good finishing. As a bowler, he can deliver miserly spells. The finger spinner can take wickets if the batters wish to go after him.
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