🏏Sri Lanka vs India-T20I Series: M2 MCA Stadium, Pune 05/01/2023🏏 - Page 2

Thanks for the tag! Go India!

Sanju Samson has been ruled out of the series for India after hurting his left knee. His absence could open the door for Rahul Tripathi today. Arshdeep could also be back, although with Mavi grabbing his opportunity on debut, and Umran Malik doing well too, India might be tempted to not rush him onto the field.

6pm local: No Bumrah, no Arshdeep to face; winning an important toss and chasing at the Wankhede, against an opposition captain who wants to put his team in difficult situations and doesn't mind losing; the bowlers doing a good job of restricting India to 161. And despite all of this, Sri Lanka's batters still couldn't get the job done as they plummeted to their 11th consecutive T20I loss in India. That's quite a telling streak in this format, and reflects Sri Lanka's batting woes more than anything. Will it be the same story today? Or will they come to the party in Pune?

ICYMI, Sanju Samson has been ruled out of the series for India after hurting his left knee. His absence could open the door for Rahul Tripathi today. Arshdeep could also be back, although with Mavi grabbing his opportunity on debut, and Umran Malik doing well too, India might be tempted to not rush him onto the field.

There's confirmation that Rahul Tripathi will make his India debut. He gets his cap from Vikram Rathour

"Pitch is almost in the centre of the square, so no biases to any side. This pitch kind of assists seam bowlers a little more. It's nice and firm. Because of the openness of this venue, it's quite windy, which also helps seamers. There's very little dew factor as well. One of those rare venues where you want to bat first," reckons Deep Dasgupta in the pitch report.

India have won the toss and have opted to field

Hardik: Going to bowl first. Thought that the dew might come later, and the wicket looks good and shouldn't change. Oh I didn't know that (teams batting first have better record here). Happy with the way we bowled and fielded. At the Wankhede to defend 160, bowlers did a great job. Tripathi makes his debut. Ar

Shanaka: Stats suggest batting first is better. Would've batted. Important for top order to click in. I think players will do well in this game.

Sri Lanka (Playing XI): Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis(w), Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dasun Shanaka(c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Kasun Rajitha, Dilshan Madushanka

India (Playing XI): Ishan Kishan(w), Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav, Rahul Tripathi, Hardik Pandya(c), Deepak Hooda, Axar Patel, Shivam Mavi, Umran Malik, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal