India vs Sri Lanka: 1st T20 Match Preview and Prediction

It will be India's first T20I series since beating New Zealand 1-0 in a three-match series in November.

Sri Lanka last played this format in the 2022 T20 World Cup.

India's performance in the last two T20 World Cups has been disappointing, but they have a strong roster. It will be a massive shock if they don't win this game to start the series.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SurVir?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SurVir</a> dominating the list 😍<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/VIratKohli?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#VIratKohli</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SuryakumarYadav?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SuryakumarYadav</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/India?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#India</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/INDvsSL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#INDvsSL</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cricket?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cricket</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/T20Is?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#T20Is</a> <a href="https://t.co/XqVcvDF2Cl">pic.twitter.com/XqVcvDF2Cl</a></p>&mdash; Wisden India (@WisdenIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/WisdenIndia/status/1609610530938822656?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 1, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Sri Lanka won the 2022 Asia Cup; however, they have struggled in all competitions. Nevertheless, we anticipate they will be able to compete in this T20I series.

India Players to Watch

1. Suryakumar Yadav averages 44.00 in this format, and it is worth betting on him as he is India's best-run scorer in this opening match of the series .

2. Arshdeep Singh took 4-37 in his last IT20 match and has taken 33 wickets in 21 games.

Sri Lanka players to watch

1. Pathum Nissanka scored nine half-centuries in IT20 matches and is a good choice for Sri Lanka's top run scorer. 

2. Wanindu Hasaranga finished as the best wicket-taker in the 2022 T20 World Cup, and he is our pick for Sri Lanka's best wicket-taker at the Wankhede Stadium.

Match Prediction

India are predicted to win the first T20 because of home advantage and a strong battling side.

Top Picks

Suryakumar Yadav

Arshdeep Singh

Pathum Nissanka

Wanindu Hasaranga

Pitch Report

The pitches at the venue have helped both fast bowlers and spinners, but in white-ball cricket, the wicket is flagging and helping the batters score a lot during the innings, leading to entertaining T20 matches. With the dew also playing a role, teams chasing have benefited the most at the Wankhede, winning 5 of the seven games.

Predicted Playing XI

India: Shubman Gill, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, Sanju Samson, Hardik Pandya, Deepak Hooda, Washington Sundar, Harshal Patel, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Umran Malik.

Sri Lanka: Kusal Mendis, Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Charith Asalanka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Lahiru Kumara, Pramod Madushan.

Where to Watch 

India vs Sri Lanka, the 1st T20I match, will be broadcast on the Star Sports Network.

Live streaming

India vs Sri Lanka, the 1st T20I match, will be streamed live on Hotstar.