India’s last bilateral T20 series before they host the ICC World T20 sees them taking on Sri Lanka in three T20 international over the next week beginning in Pune on Tuesday.
India go into the series off the back of a comprehensive win in a three match series with Australia. Even in alien conditions they dominated the Aussies and you would think that they will be too good for Sri Lanka in this series.
Those three wins out in Australia took India’s overall record in this format to 34 wins and 24 losses but they will probably be aware that they are only 3-3 from their six matches against Sri Lanka which might make them slightly uneasy.
Sri Lanka’s last T20 work saw them well beaten in New Zealand. They weren’t at home in conditions from the outset so we probably shouldn’t hold that against them but even so they will need to be infinitely better to come through this series competitively. They have a 43-28 winning record in this format of the game.
Sri Lanka are building for the defence of their World T20 title but injuries aren’t helping them. One thing they have done which could be significant is reappoint Graham Ford as coach. He’s a very good coach who turns bad teams into good ones.
Even though the World T20 is fast approaching teams are still resting big stars for these series. India have sat Virat Kohli down for these three matches. Sri Lanka haven’t rested anyone but will be without the injured Angelo Mathews and Lasith Malinga. Tillakaratne Dilshan will miss the first game through injury too.
There aren’t too many markets around for this series just yet. I’m not sure I’d be interested in the player markets anyway with the way sides are chopped and changed at the minute but if any do come up and catch my eye I will add them to the first T20 preview.
I can’t see anything but an India win in this series but we’re not going to get rich backing them at 1/5 so it is the correct score market where I think India to win the lot is the way to go. In fairness it might not be the best price but I just don’t see an area where Sri Lanka are going to outplay India.
Maybe if Sri Lanka were at full strength it would be different but this India side won all three matches with Australia with plenty to spare recently and I fancy them to be as comfortable here too.
Back India to win series 3-0 for a 3/10 stake at 2.38 with Betfred
