Cricket enthusiasts are in for a treat as India is set to tour Sri Lanka for a much-anticipated T20I and ODI series starting on July 27, 2024. This series will feature three T20 Internationals followed by three One Day Internationals, promising thrilling matches between the two Asian giants. Here is everything you need to know about the schedule, how to watch the matches, the timings, the squads, and more.

Full Schedule

T20I Series:

  1. 1st T20I: July 27, 7:00 PM IST, Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele
  2. 2nd T20I: July 28, 7:00 PM IST, Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele
  3. 3rd T20I: July 30, 7:00 PM IST, Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele

ODI Series:

  1. 1st ODI: August 2, 2:30 PM IST, R Premadasa International Stadium, Colombo
  2. 2nd ODI: August 4, 2:30 PM IST, R Premadasa International Stadium, Colombo
  3. 3rd ODI: August 7, 2:30 PM IST, R Premadasa International Stadium, Colombo

This tour is part of the teams’ preparations for upcoming major tournaments, including the ICC T20 World Cup and the ICC ODI World Cup. It provides a crucial opportunity for both teams to fine-tune their squads and strategies.

How to Watch

Cricket fans can catch all the action live on Sony Sports Network. The matches will be broadcasted on Sony Ten 5 (for English commentary) and Sony Ten 3 (for Hindi commentary). For those who prefer streaming, the Sony LIV app will provide live streaming of all matches, ensuring you don’t miss a single moment of the excitement.

India Squad

T20I Squad:

  • Captain: Suryakumar Yadav
  • Vice-Captain: Shubman Gill
  • Other Players: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rinku Singh, Riyan Parag, Rishabh Pant (wk), Sanju Samson (wk), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Khaleel Ahmed, Mohammed Siraj

ODI Squad:

  • Captain: Rohit Sharma
  • Vice-Captain: Shubman Gill
  • Other Players: Virat Kohli, KL Rahul (wk), Rishabh Pant (wk), Shreyas Iyer, Shivam Dube, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Washington Sundar, Arshdeep Singh, Riyan Parag, Axar Patel, Khaleel Ahmed, Harshit Rana

India’s squad selection reflects a mix of experience and youth. Veteran players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli bring stability and leadership, while young talents like Shubman Gill and Suryakumar Yadav offer fresh energy and dynamism. This blend is crucial for India as they look to build a formidable team capable of competing at the highest level.

Sri Lanka Squad

Sri Lanka’s squad also features a combination of seasoned players and emerging stars. The team will be led by Charith Asalanka in ODIs and Kusal Mendis in T20Is. Key players include Dushmantha Chameera, Wanindu Hasaranga, and Avishka Fernando. Sri Lanka will be looking to leverage their home advantage and put up a strong performance against India.

ODI Squad:

  • Captain: Charith Asalanka
  • Other Players: Dushmantha Chameera, Dinesh Chandimal (wk), Avishka Fernando, Binura Fernando, Wanindu Hasaranga, Kamindu Mendis, Kusal Mendis (wk), Pathum Nissanka, Matheesha Pathirana, Kusal Perera (wk), Dasun Shanaka, Maheesh Theekshana, Nuwan Thushara, Dunith Wellalage, Chamindu Wickramasinghe

T20I Squad:

  • Captain: Kusal Mendis
  • Other Players: Not fully announced yet

Key Players to Watch

India:

  • Suryakumar Yadav: Known for his explosive batting, he will be a key player in the T20Is.
  • Rishabh Pant: His wicket-keeping and aggressive batting style make him a crucial part of both squads.
  • Rohit Sharma: The experienced captain will lead the ODI squad with his solid batting and strategic acumen.

Sri Lanka:

  • Charith Asalanka: As the ODI captain, his leadership and batting will be vital for Sri Lanka.
  • Wanindu Hasaranga: A key all-rounder, his performance with both bat and ball will be crucial.
  • Dushmantha Chameera: His pace bowling can pose significant challenges to the Indian batsmen.

Match Preview

The India vs Sri Lanka series is expected to be a fiercely competitive affair, with both teams looking to gain momentum ahead of other crucial tournaments. India’s squad, led by experienced players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, will be keen to showcase their dominance. On the other hand, Sri Lanka will be aiming to capitalize on home advantage and put up a strong fight.

This series also marks an important phase for players like Suryakumar Yadav and Shubman Gill, who have been given leadership roles in the T20I squad. Their performance will be closely watched as they step into these significant responsibilities.

For cricket fans, this series is not just about the rivalry but also about witnessing some of the best talents in action, offering a blend of experienced campaigners and young blood ready to make their mark on the international stage.