India vs Sri Lanka 2023, 1st T20I, Mumbai – Match Prediction

India will begin their 2023 campaign against familiar opponents, Sri Lanka, in known conditions at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Tuesday. Both teams will look to kick off their year on a winning note and draw first blood in the series.

Hardik Pandya will lead in the absence of Rohit Sharma and he will look to lead the young troops from the front. Furthermore, the likes of Virat Kohli and KL Rahul are also not part of the T20I squad, which will present an opportunity for players like Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shubman Gill, Ishan Kishan, Deepak Hooda, and Rahul Tripathi to make a mark.

Shivam Mavi and Mukesh Kumar have also got their maiden calls-up and they will be looking to impress if they get a chance in the final XI.

On the other hand, Sri Lanka will also look to come up with a collective effort. Sri Lanka had done well to qualify for the Super 12 stage of the T20 World Cup after losing their opener against Namibia but their performance was not up to the mark.

Sri Lanka has a pool of all-rounders in their team and they would want to give their best in the three-match T20I series. Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana are going to hold the key with the ball.

Match Prediction: India will enter the contest as favorites against Sri Lanka.

India Squad for Sri Lanka T20Is: Hardik Pandya (Captain), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav, Rahul Tripathi, Deepak Hooda, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Shivam Mavi, Ishan Kishan, Sanju Samson, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Harshal Patel, Umran Malik, Mukesh Kumar.

Sri Lanka Squad for India T20Is: Dasun Shanaka (Captain), Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Kusal Mendis, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Ashen Bandara, Maheesh Theekshana, Dilshan Madushanka, Kasun Rajitha, Dunith Wellalage, Pramod Madushan, Lahiru Kumara, Nuwan Thushara.