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The build up to the Twenty20 World Cup continues – and the number one ranking goes on the line – in a three-match series between India and Sri Lanka. Join The Roar for live scores of the first match from 1am (AEDT).
Before the World Cup on home soil, India have seven T20 matches, including this series, and do not play any other form of the game.
While the pressure is on, India are in red-hot form, coming off a three-game sweep of Australia away from home.
While Australia didn’t have their best XI on the field, with a busy schedule and players being rested, it was a commanding performance from MS Dhoni and his troops.
Virat Kohli led the batting during that series, with scores of 90, 59 and 50, but will be rested for this series ahead of a busy period. This puts the rest of the Indian top order under the pump to score the necessary runs.
Openers Rohit Sharma and Shikar Dhawan hold the key. If they can get India off to the flying starts that they have done previously, it takes the pressure off the rest of the batsmen, and they will be able to play with the freedom they did Down Under.
Bowling might be the issue for India, and Ravi Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja have big roles to play on pitches that should turn.
Sri Lanka meanwhile, come into the match understrength, with opening batter Tillakaratne Dilshan injured. All-rounder Binura Fernando also joins him on the sidelines. They have lost three of their last four Twenty20 matches, with two in New Zealand during their most recent tour, and splitting a series against the West Indies before that.
Captain Dinesh Chandimal may be freed from wicketkeeping for the series, but the pressure will be right on him with the bat.
Prediction
India should have the goods at home, but don’t expect it to be a walk in the park.
Be sure to join The Roar for live scores of the first Twenty20 match between India and Sri Lanka from 1am (AEDT), and add your comments in the section below.
Follow Scott on Twitter @sk_pryde