India will face Sri Lanka in a crucial Group A match of the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 on Wednesday, aiming to fix their batting woes and boost their net run rate. After a mixed start to the tournament, India will look for a more comprehensive performance against a struggling Sri Lankan side, who are placed at the bottom of the table.

India’s campaign so far: A mixed start

India’s tournament opener saw them suffer a heavy 58-run defeat to New Zealand, exposing concerns in their batting line-up. However, they bounced back against arch-rivals Pakistan, although it took them 18.5 overs to chase down a modest target of 105. As they gear up for their third match, India will need to address their batting vulnerabilities and seek a convincing win.

• Match Time: October 9, Wednesday, 7:30 PM (IST)
• Venue: Dubai International Stadium, Dubai
• Broadcast: Star Sports Network in India
• Live Streaming: Disney+ Hotstar will stream the match live in India

With the race for semi-final spots heating up, India will look to gain momentum with a dominant performance against Sri Lanka.

See Also: Women's T20 World Cup 2024: Australia outclassed New Zealand by 60 runs

Squad Update 

India: Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Deepti Sharma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh (wk), Yastika Bhatia, Pooja Vastrakar, Arundhati Reddy, Renuka Singh Thakur, Dayalan Hemalatha, Asha Sobhana, Radha Yadav, Shreyanka Patil, Sajana Sajeevan

Sri Lanka: Vishmi Gunaratne, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Hasini Perera, Anushka Sanjeewani (wk), Nilakshika Silva, Chamari Athapaththu (c), Kavisha Dilhari, Ama Kanchana, Inoshi Priyadharshani, Shashini Gimhani, Achini Kulasuriya, Sugandika Kumari, Sachini Nisansala, Udeshika Prabodhani, Inoka Ranaweera.

IND-W vs SL-W Match Preview

India defeated Pakistan in their most recent match, but it was not a significant victory to improve their net run rate. India will struggle to improve their Net Run Rate with no a strong batting performance. Despite having two losses in two matches, Sri Lanka has a strong enough bowling attack to put pressure on India's struggling batting order.

IND-W vs SL-W Match Details

India-W vs Sri Lanka-W – 12th Match, Women's World Cup 2024

Venue: Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai

Date & Time: 09th October 2024 at 07:30 PM IST 

Live Streaming: Disney+Hotstar

IND-W vs SL-W Venue Stats

IND-W vs SL-W Pitch Report

The pitch is small, and the outfield is extremely fast. There isn't much for bowlers to work with, and both quick bowlers and spinners have struggled on this track.

IND-W vs SL-W Weather Report

It is going to be a warm evening, and we expect a batting-friendly wicket where fast bowlers will struggle. 

IND-W vs SL-W Last Five Matches

IND-W vs SL-W Head-to-Head Stats

Injury News

No Injury. Will be added when there is an update.

Also Read: Four months without pay; Pakistan's players await salaries ahead of World Cup

IND-W vs SL-W Probable Playing XIs:

Sri Lanka-W Probable Playing XIs

Vishmi Gunaratne, Chamari Athapaththu (c), Harshitha Samarawickrama, Kavisha Dilhari, Nilakshi de Silva, Hasini Perera, Anushka Sanjeewani (wk), Sugandika Kumari, Inoshi Priyadharshani, Udeshika Prabodhani, Inoka Ranaweera

India-W Probable Playing XIs

Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh (wk), Deepti Sharma, Arundhati Reddy, S Sajana, Shreyanka Patil, Asha Sobhana, Renuka Thakur Singh

Topmost Picks for IND-W vs SL-W Dream11 Prediction:

Top Picks – India-W

• Smriti Mandhana – She will captain the team and be important to the middle-order exploits with the bat. She has a lot of experience and averages 24 in WT20I cricket. She has hit four centuries in this format.
• Renuka Thakur Singh – She bowls with good pace and accuracy and recently took a couple of key wickets in India's Women's victory over Pakistan Women.

Top Picks – Sri Lanka-W

• Chamari Athapaththu –  She is a full-time spinner who picked up 3 wickets in the previous match and will once again play an important role
• Inoka Ranaweera – Having an in-form wrist spinner is a crucial aspect of any WT20I team's campaign. 

Suggested Playing XI N0.1 for IND-W vs SL-W Dream11 Team:

Anushka Sanjeewani, Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Nilakshi de Silva, Chamari Athapaththu, Kavisha Dilhari, Deepti Sharma(C), Shreyanka Patil, Udeshika Prabodhani(VC), Renuka Thakur Singh, Sugandika Kumari

Suggested Playing XI N0.2 for IND-W vs SL-W Dream11 Team:

Anushka Sanjeewani, Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Nilakshi de Silva, Chamari Athapaththu(C), Kavisha Dilhari, Deepti Sharma, Arundhati Reddy(VC), Udeshika Prabodhani, Renuka Thakur Singh, Sugandika Kumari

Captain and Vice-Captain Options:

Captain – Deepti Sharma, Chamari Athapaththu

Vice-captain – Udeshika Prabodhani, Arundhati Reddy

Wicketkeeper – Anushka Sanjeewani

IND-W vs SL-W Probable Winners:

India faces a formidable challenge. To improve their NRR and move into the top two, they must win all of their remaining games by a large margin. Sri Lanka lacks the batting strength to defeat this Indian team and relies heavily on their bowlers. Overall, India is the superior team and will start as the underdogs in our match prediction. Considering the team combination, India-W is expected to win this match.

The opening T20I of the three-match series between India and Sri Lanka is set for Saturday, July 27, at Pallekele International Stadium. In this first game, Indian opener Yashasvi Jaiswal has the chance to set a major international record as the first batter worldwide to achieve it.

Having debuted for India last year, the young southpaw has scored 953 runs in 16 innings across 11 matches this year. The Rajasthan Royals star is now just 7 runs away from becoming the first batter in 2024 to reach 1,000 runs in international cricket across all formats.

The 22-year-old has scored 740 runs in six Tests and 213 runs in five T20Is. Although the Mumbai-based cricketer was part of the Indian squad that won the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 in the West Indies and the USA last month, he did not play in any of the matches.

Before the T20I series against India began, Sri Lanka suffered two major setbacks with injuries to Dushmantha Chameera and Nuwan Thushara. Both star fast bowlers have been ruled out of the series, which will be played entirely in Pallekele.

SEE ALSO:Victim in Lamichhane case claims ‘there was no rape’; Check details

India’s squad for the T20I series : Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Rishabh Pant (wk), Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj, Sanju Samson, Riyan Parag, Khaleel Ahmed, and Shivam Dube.

As Gautam Gambhir steps into his new role as Team India’s head coach, he received a heartfelt surprise message from his predecessor, Rahul Dravid, ahead of the first T20I against Sri Lanka. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) shared a video in which Dravid conveyed his best wishes, sharing valuable insights and experiences from his own tenure as head coach. Dravid’s message was filled with warmth and encouragement, welcoming Gambhir to what he described as the “most exciting job in the world.”

Dravid reflects on Gambhir’s coaching journey

In his message, Dravid praised Gambhir’s achievements and dedication, reflecting on his time as a coach and mentor for various Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises. He expressed confidence in Gambhir’s ability to lead the national team, noting his strategic acumen and passion for the game. Dravid’s insights were not only about the technical aspects of coaching but also touched on the importance of fostering a positive team environment and the need for emotional resilience.

“From one Indian cricket coach to another, one last thing. In the most heated of times, exhale, take a step back, and even if it’s difficult for you, crack a smile. Whatever else happens, that will shock people. I wish you the very best, Gautam, and I’m sure you will take the Indian team to even greater heights,” Dravid concluded.

Gambhir’s emotional response

Overwhelmed by Dravid’s thoughtful gesture, Gautam Gambhir admitted that the message made him emotional. Dravid’s words of wisdom and encouragement struck a chord with Gambhir, reminding him of the legacy he is set to inherit. In his message, Dravid humorously urged Gambhir to remember to smile, even during challenging times, a reminder of the camaraderie they shared during their playing days. Gambhir’s response highlighted his respect for Dravid and his determination to carry forward the successful path paved by his predecessor.

“Not me, not individuals, but what Indian cricket is. I feel, I think, I don’t get too much emotional normally, but I think this message actually made me a lot emotional, which normally I assume, but it’s a great message. Hopefully, I can… It’s a massive shoes to fill. Hopefully, I can do it with absolute honesty, transparency, and hopefully, I can make the entire nation, and more importantly, the person who I’ve always looked up to, Rahul Bhai Proud,” he said.

See Also: Binura Fernando hospitalized with chest infection ahead of 1st T20I against India – Cricket Winner

The exchange between Dravid and Gambhir reflects not only the transition of leadership within the Indian cricket team but also the deep bonds and mutual respect that exist among former teammates. As Gambhir embarks on this new chapter, the legacy and support of his predecessors will undoubtedly guide him in leading Team India to new heights.

Suryakumar, 33, recently took over as India’s captain from the beloved Rohit Sharma, who retired from the 20-over format following India’s World Cup victory in June.He was chosen over all-rounder Hardik Pandya, whose frequent injury absences raised concerns.

However, Suryakumar’s previous captaincy of the Mumbai state team had raised questions about his leadership style, leading to his sacking in 2015 after complaints from teammates.

“Many things have changed since then. I am a different person now,” the batsman told reporters in Kandy ahead of Saturday’s series opener.”I have gotten married and learned a lot from other captains. I will take the team forward in my own style,” he added.

“Our brand of cricket remains the same. The captaincy has given me new responsibilities, and I am looking forward to the challenge.”Star batsman Virat Kohli also retired after the T20 World Cup, and India’s 15-man squad gives Suryakumar the opportunity to experiment with the top order, anchored by openers Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal.

Suryakumar Yadav’s New leadership and Sri Lanka’s Squad changes ahead of upcoming Series

Sri Lanka also has a new short-format captain after a humiliating first-round World Cup knockout prompted Wanindu Hasaranga’s resignation just six months after his appointment.

SEE ALSO:Women’s T20 Asia Cup 2024, Semi-final 1: Brilliant spells from Renuka and Radha help India dominate Bangladesh

His replacement, Charith Asalanka, captained Jaffna Kings to a title win in the island’s 20-over Lanka Premier League tournament on Sunday.”It’s a huge challenge for us to play the world champions. We are ready for the challenge as we have prepared well for this series,” Asalanka said.

“A bit disappointed that we are not at full strength,” he added, noting that injuries and illness have affected the team’s pace attack.Fast bowler Nuwan Thushara has been ruled out of the series with a fractured thumb, while Dushmantha Chameera is unwell.

Sri Lanka has brought in right-arm seamer Asitha Fernando and left-arm quick Dilshan Madushanka as replacements.The three-match series concludes on Tuesday in Kandy before a three-match ODI series begins in Colombo on Friday.

KKR assistant coach Abhishek Nayar is expected to be appointed to the Indian team’s support staff. Reliable sources inform IndiaToday.in that Nayar will join the Indian team on their tour of Sri Lanka, marking Gautam Gambhir’s first assignment as head coach. Nayar, who has been with KKR for six years, has a proven track record of helping Indian domestic players, including Rohit Sharma and Dinesh Karthik, through challenging times.

Alongside Nayar, the Board of Control for Cricket in India is expected to enlist another former KKR player, Ryan ten Doeschate, who is currently the assistant coach for the LAKR franchise in Major League Cricket in the USA.

Support and Transition: Nayar’s impact and the BCCI’s new direction

Both Nayar and ten Doeschate have been part of the KKR setup at different times and are known for their supportive nature. Nayar has a proven track record of assisting players like Rohit Sharma, Dinesh Karthik, and Rinku Singh during difficult periods. Players such as Varun Chakravarthy have highlighted how Nayar uplifted the dressing room after challenging losses in the 2024 IPL season.

In the last game, after conceding so many runs, it was a tough pill to swallow, but the entire team motivated us. Abhishek Nayar and even Shahrukh Khan came and spoke to me, which definitely lifted our spirits.Chakravarthy shared in a Twitter post during the IPL.

SEE ALSO:Hardik Pandya to miss Champions Trophy 2025?

The Indian men’s team support staff, which included Paras Mhambrey (bowling coach), T. Dilip (fielding coach), and Vikram Rathour (batting coach), will not be part of the Gambhir era. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the decision on Tuesday, July 9, via a press release, where they congratulated the trio for their highly successful tenure with the Indian team. The BCCI also expressed gratitude to Rahul Dravid for nurturing young talent and leading India to three finals in ICC tournaments during the 2023/24 cycle.

Gautam Gambhir, now India’s head coach, made a notable move by appointing Suryakumar Yadav as the new T20 captain, replacing Hardik Pandya, who had seemed the likely successor after Rohit Sharma’s retirement from T20 internationals. This six-match white-ball series against Sri Lanka holds significant importance for Gambhir, aligning with chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar in their decision to position Suryakumar as captain with an eye on the 2026 T20 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.

The series serves as a key preparatory phase leading up to that event.

The first T20I is scheduled for July 27, with additional matches on July 28 and 30, all to be played at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. The ODIs will take place on August 2, 4, and 7 at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.

It was under Gambhir’s captaincy at Kolkata Knight Riders that Suryakumar Yadav, affectionately known as ‘SKY,’ first garnered attention for his exceptional finishing abilities, a talent Gambhir frequently praised.

Leadership Shift: Pandya’s injury struggles and Gill’s rise as Vice-Captain

Pandya, the vice-captain of the T20 World Cup-winning team and the bowler of the historic last over in the final against South Africa, was informed of the decision on Tuesday by both Ajit Agarkar and Gautam Gambhir.

Previously, Pandya served as vice-captain in the 50-over World Cup before his injury. With Shubman Gill now appointed as deputy in both formats, it’s evident that the selection committee and Gambhir are shifting their focus away from Pandya for leadership roles.

SEE ALSO:Adani Group to buy IPL shares from CVC capital, taking over Shubman Gill’s Gujarat Titans: Reports

Pandya’s frequent injury issues were a significant factor against him. He participated in only 46 of the 79 T20I matches since January 1, 2022, while Suryakumar Yadav missed only a few games during this time, primarily due to sports hernia surgery.

Pandya did lead India to a 4-1 victory over Australia in a T20I series last November and secured a 1-1 draw in South Africa. Despite this, Pandya remains part of the T20 squad but has opted out of ODIs due to personal reasons.

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) made an official announcement on Wednesday, revealing that India is scheduled to embark on a six-match white-ball series in the island nation in July 2024. This series, comprising three One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and three Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is), comes on the heels of the T20 World Cup earlier that year.

The men’s national cricket team is poised to engage in a total of 52 international matches throughout 2024, encompassing 10 Tests, 21 ODIs, and 21 T20Is. Notably, the T20Is mentioned earlier do not encompass additional matches during the T20 World Cup.

In the midst of this, Sri Lanka Cricket has encountered a setback as the International Cricket Council (ICC) has imposed a ban due to government interference. Consequently, the U-19 World Cup has been relocated to South Africa. However, both the men’s and women’s national teams are permitted to fulfill their bilateral obligations.

Kicking off their 2024 international cricket calendar, the Sri Lanka National Team is slated to host Zimbabwe in January, engaging in a series featuring three ODIs and three T20Is. Subsequent to this, a series against Afghanistan awaits in January and February, incorporating one test match, three ODIs, and three T20Is.

See Also:Adam Hollioake Named Batting Coach for Pakistan’s Test Tour of Australia by PCB

The team will then embark on a comprehensive tour to Bangladesh, participating in matches across all formats. Following this, they will contend in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, to be held in the West Indies and the United States.

Anticipating a robust year of cricket, India, New Zealand, and the West Indies are also expected to tour Sri Lanka as part of the Future Tours Programme (FTP) in 2024. The Sri Lankan squad is poised to engage in a three-match test series against England in mid-year, with subsequent tours to South Africa and New Zealand concluding the 2024 season. Expressing enthusiasm, Mr. Ashley De Silva, CEO of Sri Lanka Cricket, emphasized the excitement surrounding the year, projecting a wealth of playing opportunities for the players, entertainment for the fans, and exposure for the sponsors.

IND vs SL Match Preview

Team India is on the offensive. They have won six out of six matches in the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup so far and currently lead the points table with 12 points. With three games remaining in the league stage, India’s chances of reaching the semi-finals appear to be almost certain. On November 2, the Men in Blue will face Sri Lanka at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium. The Lankan Lions have had a difficult season and are coming off a crushing defeat to India. India will almost certainly fancy themselves against them, especially since they have recently beaten Sri Lanka.

IND vs SL Match Details

India vs Sri Lanka – 33th Match

Venue: Wankhede Stadium – Mumbai

Date & Time: 02nd November 2023 at 02:00 PM IST 

Live Streaming: Disney+ Hotstar

IND vs SL Venue Stats

IND vs SL Pitch Report

The pitch at the Wankhede Stadium is a batting beauty. The ball comes on to bat nicely and batters can start hitting through the line once they played a few balls. Fast bowlers won’t get much help here, but spinners will get some turn during the middle overs.

IND vs SL Weather Report

The forecast calls for warm weather throughout the match, with temperatures ranging from 27 to 32 degrees. Humidity is not expected to be an issue because it will not rise above 40%.

IND vs SL Last Five Matches

IND vs SL Head-to-Head Stats

Injury News

No Injury. Will be added when there is an update.

Also Read: ICC Cricket World Cup 2023: India vs India, 30th Match – Toss Update, Playing XIs

IND vs SL Probable Playing XIs:

India Probable Playing XIs

Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj

Sri Lanka Probable Playing XIs

Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Mendis (c & wk), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Angelo Mathews, Maheesh Theekshana, Kasun Rajitha, Dushmantha Chameera, Dilshan Madushanka

Topmost Picks for IND vs SL Dream11 Prediction:

Top Picks – India

• Rohit Sharma – Leading the charge is captain Rohit Sharma, who was named Player of the Match in the game against England for his magnificent knock of 87 from 101 balls.
• Jasprit Bumrah – Jasprit Bumrah (14 wickets at an economy of 3.91 in this World Cup) has led the bowling attack superbly. 

Top Picks – Sri Lanka

• Sadeera Samarawickrama – He has been their most successful batter in the competition, scoring 331 runs in 6 innings at an average of 82.75. He has looked consistently good and will enjoy this surface.
• Dilshan Madushanka – The right-arm medium fast bowler came back into the side and announced himself with 4-50, his best ever ODI bowling figures. He will fancy his chances against a low in confidence Sri Lanka batting side.

Suggested Playing XI N0.1 for IND vs SL Dream11 Team:

Kusal Mendis, KL Rahul, Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli(C), Dhananjaya de Silva, Angelo Mathews, Mohammed Shami(VC), Jasprit Bumrah, Dilshan Madushanka

Suggested Playing XI N0.2 for IND vs SL Dream11 Team:

Kusal Mendis(VC), KL Rahul, Pathum Nissanka, Charith Asalanka, Rohit Sharma(C), Virat Kohli, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Angelo Mathews, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Dilshan Madushanka

Captain and Vice-Captain Options:

Captain – Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma

Vice-captain – Mohammed Shami, Kusal Mendis

Wicketkeeper – Kusal Mendis

IND vs SL Probable Winners

It would be a huge surprise if India faltered in this game given how strong they have been throughout the tournament, and Sri Lanka were unable to defeat Afghanistan in their previous match. Our prediction is that India will be too strong with both the bat and the ball, while Sri Lanka will struggle throughout. No team has made India’s life difficult so far in the competition, and we don’t expect that to change in this match. We believe India will win on Thursday in Mumbai. Considering the team combination, India is expected to win this match.

The Indian cricket team extended their victorious streak in the ICC World Cup 2023 by overpowering England with a resounding 100-run victory this past Sunday. Notably absent from the match once again was the versatile pace-bowling all-rounder, Hardik Pandya, who continues to recover from an ankle injury.

The looming question on the minds of fans is whether Hardik Pandya will make a comeback for the upcoming match against Sri Lanka on November 2 and be available for selection. The cricketer has been sidelined for the last two matches, including the clash with New Zealand, after sustaining an ankle injury during a bowling attempt against Bangladesh.

The Race Against Time and Injury: Can Pandya Make It Back for Sri Lanka Clash?

A recent report by the Times of India indicates that the 30-year-old T20 captain is likely to rejoin the team in Mumbai, where the India vs. Sri Lanka match is scheduled to take place at the Wankhede Stadium on November 2. However, the report also underscores concerns about his match fitness.

A reliable source disclosed, “Yes, Hardik Pandya, presently in the process of recuperation at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru, will rejoin the team in Mumbai. At this juncture, it remains uncertain whether he will participate in the Sri Lanka match, but his inclusion in the team is planned.”

Hardik Pandya sustained his ankle injury during the match against Bangladesh on October 19 while bowling. In his absence, captain Rohit Sharma incorporated middle-order batsman Suryakumar Yadav and fast bowler Mohammed Shami to fill the void.

Shami has distinguished himself as a standout performer, amassing nine wickets in two games, while Suryakumar played a pivotal role by contributing 49 runs against England, creating a selection dilemma for the skipper as the ICC World Cup 2023 approaches its knockout stages. As for Hardik Pandya’s performance in the tournament, he has secured five wickets in four matches but has managed only 11 runs with the bat.

India currently leads the round-robin standings with a flawless record of six victories in as many games, all but securing their place in the semifinals with three matches remaining. Their next fixtures include South Africa on November 5 and the Netherlands on November 12.