It's India vs rain in the one-off T20I

Photo: BCCI

New Delhi: Rain could play a spoilsport on India’s road to a first ever complete clean sweep in all three formats as the Virat Kohli-led side faces off Sri Lanka in a one-off T20I on Wednesday at Colombo.

In all probability, rain will be India’s biggest hurdle on Wendesday. Even the practice sessions of both teams had to be cancelled on Tuesday because of incessant rain. And the forecast for Wednesday isn’t positive either.

In the fifth and final ODI also, the start was delayed due to heavy downpour at the same venue. However, it had no bearings on the match as no overs were lost. 

Swept apart in both Tests and ODIs, Sri Lanka have effected a few changes in their squad, with leg-spinner Jeffrey Vandersay and seam-bowling all-rounder Dasun Shanaka being the additions whlie pacer Suranga Lakmal also makes a comeback after being injured during the Test series.

With due respect to Sri Lanka’s changes, the manner in which India have beaten them right from the first Test in Galle doesn’t seem to be giving Upul Tharanga and Co. much of a chance in Wednesday’s encounter. Unless, of course, Virat Kohli and his men get tired of bashing the same opponents again and again.

All said and done, this could turn out to be Sri Lanka’s most humiliating series if they fail to win on Wednesday as well. The Kohlis and Rohit Sharmas will hardly be bothered, though, as the game provides them with an opportunity to fine-tune their combination ahead of the upcoming T20I home series against Australia and New Zealand.

Overall, India would play nine T20Is this home season and all contests will be a three-match series.