With a T20 World Cup lined up to be later next year, India and Sri Lanka will kick off the preparations for the tournament with a three-match series starting today. Both the teams have won a 20-over ICC tournament once but Sri Lanka aren’t the favourite this time while Team India is one of the strongest contenders to win the tournament.

Learning lessons from 2019 World Cup, Team India has been retaining almost same squads for months now and there were no surprises in the squad for the Sri Lanka series as well. Sri Lanka made a big call by recalling Angelo Mathews but he isn’t a confirmed selection in the playing XI.

Conditions –

It will be a high-scoring affair in Guwahati and with dew also coming in to play, it’s a no-brainer that both the teams would want to bowl first and chase the target.

Here is the likely playing XI of both the teams –

India are without the services of Rohit Sharma, which means KL Rahul will open the innings with Shikhar Dhawan. With Jasprit Bumrah available for selection, he will walk back into the playing XI. Ravindra Jadeja isn’t a confirm selection in the playing XI and it remains to be seen if plays. Virat Kohli was hit on his finger but he is fit to play.

Likely playing XI: KL Rahul, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant, Washington Sundar, Shivam Dube, Navdeep Saini, Jasprit Bumrah, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav

Sri Lanka –

They have a full-strength squad on the tour. Mathews will find it difficult to be in the playing XI. Lasith Malinga will be leading the visiting team.

Likely playing XI: Danushka Gunathilaka, Avishka Fernando, Oshada Fernando, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dhananjaya de Silva, Kusal Perera, Dasun Shanaka, Isuru Udana, Lasith Malinga, Lahiru Kumara , Kasun Rajitha

My dream11 team for IND vs SL 1st T20I –

Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul, Virat Kohli (Captain), Avishka Fernando, Bhanuka Rajapaksha, Kusal Perera (Vice-Captain), Dasun Shanaka, Isuru Udana, Jasprit Bumrah, Lasith Malinga, Kuldeep Yadav