India will take on Sri Lanka in the first T20I of the series at the Wankhede Stadium on Tuesday, January 3. India will be without their regular captain Rohit Sharma, who is out with a finger injury, and will instead be led by Hardik Pandya in the shortest format of the game. There is speculation that Pandya could be India’s captain for the T20 World Cup in 2024. Additionally, India will be missing Virat Kohli, who has been rested for the T20I series, and opening batsman KL Rahul, who will be absent for his upcoming marriage. Suryakumar Yadav, currently the top ranked T20I batter in the world, will serve as Pandya’s deputy. The Indian team also includes several young players.

Sri Lanka, on the other hand, will be looking to redeem themselves after a 3-0 loss in the T20I series against India last year. However, they did manage to defeat India in the Asia Cup later that year. The pitch at the Wankhede Stadium is expected to be batting-friendly with a fast outfield and a flat pitch, and dew could also be a factor in the match due to the Indian winter.

In terms of playing combinations, India has a range of options for its opening batsmen, including Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shubman Gill, and Ishan Kishan. Sri Lanka’s team includes Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Avishka Fernando, and Bhanuka Rajapaksa. In the past, India has had the upper hand in T20Is against Sri Lanka, with 17 wins to Sri Lanka’s 8. The match will be televised on the Star Sports Network and available for streaming on Disney+Hotstar.