✖
Machibet777 Logintitle_temp - keikya sign up,krikya365

India vs Sri Lanka, 1st T20I - Live Cricket Score, Commentary

India's openers put on 111 for the first wicket.
India's openers put on 111 for the first wicket. © AFP

Massive win for India

Charith Asalanka's 43-ball fifty posed no threat for India but it was Sri Lanka's only highlight on what ended up being a miserable night. It's an outing they will have to forget soon as they now travel to Dharamshala for the next two games. Sri Lanka finish with 137/6 after 20 overs to lose by 62 runs. The worrying thing for the visitors is that India were not even at full tilt with the ball as Harshal Patel ended up bowling only two overs, Bumrah 3 and Bhuvi 2.




celebration after taking the wicket.





@Narbavi

had mentioned Samson having the game to fare well on Aussie pitches where T20 World Cup will be played. But he needs to score consistently to find a place in the WC squad

@cricbuzz
3 0

Build up

It's been only four days since India completed their previous assignment. For Sri Lanka, it's three. And in their case, they have also had to travel all the way from Australia. No wonder the scheduling these days is brutal on the players. That is precisely why the selectors decided to give Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant a mini break for this series. KL Rahul, Deepak Chahar and Suryakumar Yadav have been ruled out with injuries so one might wonder if this squad has a depleted look. However, there's plenty to look forward to from an Indian perspective since Ravindra Jadeja is making his much-awaited return. The allrounder missed the South Africa tour and the West Indies series with an injury and is all set to slot in at 7 straightaway.

Apart from Jadeja, India will also be welcoming back Jasprit Bumrah. The pacer was given a break for the West Indies series and has been brought back now with some added responsibility. He is now the vice-captain for this three-match series and might easily get to lead the side in one of the games if the think tank decides to rest Rohit Sharma ahead of the Tests. But keeping this aside, it's the inclusion of Sanju Samson that's been making headlines ever since the selectors announced the squad.

Samson's talent is well documented. For years, the general consensus is that he hasn't made enough of it. But recently, Samson did manage to add a bit of consistency to his game in the IPL. And now, ahead of the World Cup in Australia this year, the selectors and the team management want to give Samson another opportunity to put his name back in the mix. Rohit did heap plenty of praise on Samson prior to the game and now with Kohli, SKY and Pant not in the mix, it is up to Samson to make the most of this latest chance.

From a Sri Lankan perspective, they know they start the series as underdogs. They put up a strong show at home a few months ago but that was against a second string or one even say 'a third string' Indian side. The visitors themselves have been depleted now and there are question marks over the participation of Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana and Kusal Mendis in the series. They have just been battered 4-1 by Australia as well so the confidence will be low. Can they fare better in conditions that are more suited? We will find out tonight. Welcome to the live blog for this opening match of the series.

Move to top