Malinga-led Young Lankan Brigade Look To Reverse Poor T2OI Record Against India

Sri Lankan would desperately want to end their horrid run against India in T2OIs which has seen them lose five consecutive games to their sub continent neighbors.

Sri Lanka set sail north across the Indian ocean to set foot on the Indian sub continent to lock horns with India in a 3-match T20I series. The Islanders will begin their campaign with the series opener to be played at Guwahati on Sunday evening. The Lankans would be bolstered by the return of their veteran all-rounder Angelo Matthews who makes a comeback into the team after a 16-month haitus. The teams has a young look with a lot of youngsters replacing the seasoned campaigners with all sights set on fine tuning the squad for the World T20 in Australia later this year. RECENT FORM A 3-0 bashing at the hands of Australia would have certainly dented their confidence after upsetting Pakistan in their own turf. Lankans would desperately want to end their horrid run against India which has seen them lose five consecutive games to their sub continent neighbors. More importantly, the Sri Lankans still await their maiden T2O series win against the Indians in the shortest format. For the record, they have lost 11 out of the 16 games played against India. BATTING LINE-UP The batting armory includes some attacking stroke-makers but consistency has deserted them big time contributing heavily to their poor form in T20Is. With a young brigade at the helm, Danushka Gunathilaka and Niroshan Dickwella are likely to provide the opening salvo upfront as the dangerous Kusal Perera comes into bat at No. 3. Angelo Matthews's return would provide some semblance and depth to an otherwise inexperienced middle order. Bhanuka Rajapaksa, who had a good outing against the Australians would love to continue his good form against the Indians. PACE ARMORY The seam attack will once again be spearheaded by the veteran Lasith Malinga who would look for a last hurrah against India  nearing his swang song. In the absence of the seasoned campaigner Nuwan Pradeep, ruled out due to injury, seamers Lahiru Kumara and Kasun Rajitha need to be more economical after leaking runs against the Australians. SPIN ATTACK The 'Islanders' would look to spinners Wanindu Hasaranga and Lakshan Sandakan to pick up wickets on the turning tracks in India. The Lankans have some exiting all-rounders in Dhananjaya de Silva and Oshada Fernando who came up with some match winning performances in their recent assignments against Australia and Pakistan. With the World T20 in sight, it would be a great opportunity for the young guns to make an impression and stake a claim in the team which will fly down to Australia in the showpiece event. Sri Lanka will have to play out of their skin to beat a much more balanced and experienced Indian team which comes into the series on the back of beating West Indies. Sri Lanka T20 Squad For India Series - Lasith Malinga (captain), Danushka Gunathilaka, Avishka Fernando, Angelo Mathews, Dasun Shanaka, Kusal Perera, Niroshan Dickwella, Dhananjaya de Silva, Isuru Udana, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Oshada Fernando, Wanindu Hasaranga, Lahiru Kumara, Kusal Mendis, Lakshan Sandakan and Kasun Rajitha.