India and Sri Lanka begin a three match T20 series in Pune on Tuesday and given the quick fire nature of the series both sides will be looking for a fast start to get things underway.
India are gearing up to host the next ICC World T20 which begins in less than a month’s time so these three matches are significant for them while Sri Lanka are the defending champions in this format and there are squad places up for grabs in this series.
India will be full of confidence after thrashing Australia in three comprehensively one sided matches and I’m sure their aim will be to do the same in this match here.
They will make at least one change from their last T20 with Virat Kohli sitting this series out. Ajinkya Rahane looks the most likely to replace him. Hardik Pandya or Pawan Negi are set for the all-rounder spot. Pandya played in Australia and might just get the nod.
Sri Lanka have lost five of their last six T20 internationals so unless something changes dramatically they will head into that title defence devoid of any form or momentum which is far from ideal so they need to get something from these three matches.
Injuries aren’t helping the tourists here. They are without Tillakaratne Dilshan for this opening match while Angelo Mathews, Lasith Malinga and Nuwan Kulasekara will be missing the whole series which is not helpful. Asela Gunaratne could make his debut while Niroshan Dickwella will open. Dilhara Fernando could begin his international comeback.
The series will begin at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune, a stadium which will be hosting its second match at this level. India won the first one here against England when they chased down a target of 157/6 with a couple of overs to spare.
Generally the wicket is good for batting here so this should in theory be a high scoring match although a lot of that will depend on how this much changed Sri Lankan batting line up can fare.
I’ve backed India to win the series 3-0 so I don’t need to get involved in them to win any of these matches which is handy because 4/11 pokes aren’t really my thing in this format I must admit. I am going with two bets though and the first comes in the sixes market.
The line for this match is 10.5 which looks a touch on the low side to me. The previous match here yielded 14 sixes and it wasn’t a particularly high scoring game and with the amount of spin on show here I would expect the batsmen to swing from the hip a fair bit which should yield dividends.
Usually the boundaries are in for T20 in India and I don’t see that changing here so they will be accessible for everyone. Although Sri Lanka are depleted with the bat they do still have some big hitters in their middle order so I’ll take there to be at least 11 sixes in this one.
I’m also going to dabble in the Top Sri Lanka Batsman market where I have to say I was hugely impressed with Milinda Siriwardana in the series in New Zealand. He was able to stand up to the quicks and attack the spinners which is ideal for how to play in India.
In a tour where Sri Lanka were useless with the bat he put up scores of 66 and 39 in the ODIs and 42 in the T20 which was a decent effort in alien conditions. If he’s in that form here he could deliver at a nice price.
Back Over 10.5 sixes for a 4/10 stake at 1.83 with William Hill
Back M.Siriwardana Top Sri Lanka Batsman for a 1/10 stake at 10.00 with Paddy Power
