The first of the two T20Is between India and Sri Lanka will be played at Jamtha in Nagpur on Wednesday.
The game will start at 5.30 pm local time, and will go on under floodlights on a ground which has already seen a very high-scoring ODI featuring Australia, one month back.
India may have routed their opposition in the recently concluded test match series, but the T20Is will pose a different sort of a threat for them given their recent record in this format. Ever since winning the ICC World T20 and the subsequent one-off game against Australia, the only other team of note they have beaten is Sri Lanka, having lost to Australia, New Zealand (twice), West Indies, England and South Africa in the process. Still, against a team which will be reeling under the battering from the Indian batsmen, they will go as favourites – 8/11 at Stan James – as compared to 888Sport’s offer of 13/10 for a Sri Lankan win.
Gautam Gambhir (7/2 at Ladbrokes) is back into the side after missing the final test match, and with the kind of form man of the test series, Virender Sehwag (3/1 at Ladbrokes) is, it will be difficult to look anyone beyond the pair to top the Indian batting. However, while Sehwag continues to bat with an impressive strike-rate, his average in this format suggests that he has yet to get going with a longer innings. Yuvraj Singh will be a favourite with many and Bet Fred offers 5/1 for him to top the batting, whereas the in-form captain, MS Dhoni (6/1 at Bet Fred to top the batting) will want to bat around the tenth over – meaning that it will be difficult for him to top the batting.
Suresh Raina (13/2 at 888Sport to be the best Indian batsman) has been slightly under-rated by the experts, but he has had a good record at home. With the ability to rotate the strike and clear the fence when set, he could be the dark horse to smash a big one.
For Sri Lanka, Tillakaratne Dilshan (3/1 at Ladbrokes to be the best batsman for his side) will continue to open the innings, but he will have a different partner from the test series. The oldest cricketer in the world today, Sanath Jayasuriya (4/1 at Bet Fred to top the Lankan batting) will look to get back into form. He will know well that this could be one of his last opportunities to prove to the selectors that he still possesses the legs to go on! At the other end, Lankan skipper, Kumar Sangakkara’s tour had been a struggle till he finally managed to slam an excellent century in the second innings of the Brabourne test match. 888Sport offers 7/2 for him to be the best batsman for his side, whereas 888Sport offers 4/1 for Mahela Jayawardene to top the Lankan batting.
Given the manner in which Dilshan bats, he should be a favourite to top-score in the Sri Lankan innings, but those betting for him should also realise that he gives ample chances to the opposition bowling as well!
Tips:
Favourites: India (8/11 at Stan James)
Top Indian batsman: Suresh Raina (13/2 at 888Sport)
Top Sri Lankan batsman: T. Dilshan (3/1 at Ladbrokes)