Mumbai
Win Projections to be updated soon
Sri Lanka decided to go with three main fast bowlers and Maheesh Theekshana and Wanindu Hasaranga as their primary spin options. Former captain Dasun Shanaka was also included in the playing XI as an all-round option.
India opted to strengthen their batting lineup by including Axar Patel at No. 8. This decision allowed them to have four specialist bowlers, with contributions expected from Hardik Pandya and Riyan Parag with the ball. Rinku Singh was preferred over Shivam Dube as a finisher.
The Indian team management showed confidence in Rishabh Pant by retaining him at the No. 3 position, where he excelled during the T20 World Cup. Sanju Samson had to wait for his chance in the lineup.
Coming off a 4-1 T20I series victory in Zimbabwe with a mostly inexperienced squad, the Indian team is riding high after their recent success. Sri Lankan players have been active in the Lanka Premier League leading up to this series.
Both teams have new coaches in charge: Gautam Gambhir has taken over from Rahul Dravid as the full-time coach of India, while former captain Sanath Jayasuriya is serving as the interim coach of Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka: 1 Pathum Nissanka, 2 Kusal Mendis (wk), 3 Kusal Perera, 4 Kamindu Mendis, 5 Charith Asalanka (capt), 6 Wanindu Hasaranga, 7 Dasun Shanaka, 8 Maheesh Theekshana, 9 Matheesha Pathirana, 10 Asitha Fernando, 11 Dilshan Madushanka
India: 1 Shubman Gill, 2 Yashasvi Jaiswal, 3 Rishabh Pant (wk), 4 Suryakumar Yadav (capt), 5 Riyan Parag, 6 Hardik Pandya, 7 Rinku Singh, 8 Axar Patel, 9 Ravi Bishnoi, 10 Arshdeep Singh, 11 Mohammed Siraj
