India [180/3] defeat Sri Lanka [87] by 93 runs in first T20I, lead series 1-0

[hadi123]

Sri Lanka will feel this is their best chance to win a series on this tour as India are without several of their star players. They have already won away series in South Africa as well as Australia this year so they will definitely feel a series win is possible.

 

[KyoOne]

Lanka may be a promising team, but their captaincy choice doesnt instill confidence

 

[Gabbar Singh]

I see Karthik is selected again. The guy has been playing for India for 13+ years and has such an average record. If he couldn’t succeed in 13 years why do the selectors and management think he’ll start now?

 

[Abdullah719]

Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to field.

Sri Lanka: Upul Tharanga, Niroshan Dickwella, Kusal Perera, Angelo Mathews, Asela Gunaratne, Thisara Perera, Dasun Shanaka, Dushmantha Chameera, Akila Dananjaya, Vishwa Fernando, Nuwan Pradeep

India: KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma, Shreyas Iyer, Manish Pandey, Dinesh Karthik, MS Dhoni, Hardik Pandya, Kuldeep Yadav, Jaydev Unadkat, Jasprit Bumrah, Yuzvendra Chahal

 

[jnaveen1980]

Rahul is upping the ante.

 

[Gabbar Singh]

Some classy shots by Rahul today.

 

[Tyler Durden]

Rahul proving why his inclusion is very important in this unsettled LOI setup.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Rahul has great potential. But not playing him frequently enough is hurting his career.

 

[Tyler Durden]

Rahul has great potential. But not playing him frequently enough is hurting his career.

Exactly. I would make him a permanent fixture instead of panickid Manish pandey or Karthik. Even if he fails in few games, it's important we stick with him. He's a real game changer.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Rahul is India's 360 degree player.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Dhoni *facepalm*

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

If Rahul doesn't score atleast 100, he deserves to be dropped out of the T20 squad.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Two paced wicket.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Dhoni has a shocking strike rate of 177

 

[Navdeep Srivastava]

4th position is the place I want Dhoni to bat in odi and t-20, he is not playing test so not tired anymore with no captaincy. He can really time his innings perfectly from this position.

 

[Sean143]

Innings break
India 180/3 (20 overs)
KL Rahul 61(48) MS Dhoni 39(22) MK Pandey 32(18)
T Perera 4-37-1 AD Mathews 3-19-1

 

[RamLakhan]

4th position is the place I want Dhoni to bat in odi and t-20, he is not playing test so not tired anymore with no captaincy. He can really time his innings perfectly from this position.

Good, that's what I am telling either at No.4 or No.8. Nothing in between. At No.8 he can go berserk (plays the yorker very well). But for the moment (given India's unstable batting lineup) he is very much needed at No.4

 

[AuxiliA]

Rahul again failing to convert 50 into 100. Should be dropped.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

Rahul again failing to convert 50 into 100. Should be dropped.

This is T20. How many hundreds have been scored in T20 yet?

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

Pandya is a rubbish bowler.

 

[RamLakhan]

If Rahul doesn't score atleast 100, he deserves to be dropped out of the T20 squad.

Kohli, Shastri & Co treat him as specialist opener (just because he does the toughest job of opening in Test Cricket while Rohit/Dhawan usually hide out! e.g., Australian series! Watch out for upcoming overseas tours where his real essence will be understood!) Even I was hesitant about having him in LOIs because of his inconsistency, temperament & fitness issues. But given the fragility of Indian LOI middle order currently, he is more than enough to be given maximum chance at this point because we are not going to lose much (actually a chance of gaining his confidence which is essential!) As we are playing lot of away matches, he should be part of all formats (hopefully he has worked on his fitness, now he cannot afford to miss any chances given to him! This is the make or break time for cementing his position in Indian team and establishing as a premier batsman!) It is not that he has to open. He can be a floater in this side and if needed he can do the wicket-keeping job as well in case of injury to Dhoni (or when he opts to rest or when retires!) Indian management has to think in wide angles and even Rahul has to be serious about his temperament (needs to work out by talking to seniors!)

 

[RamLakhan]

This is T20. How many hundreds have been scored in T20 yet?

You are not seeing the sarcasm!

 

[RamLakhan]

Pandya is a rubbish bowler.

We don't have other alternatives. He has to be given few more chances (let him play some overseas tours). Its a wrong decision to open bowling with him (especially in T20s)

 

[AuxiliA]

Try telling that to Shastri.

 

[asadee]

What is Matthews doing??

 

[Deewana Mastana]

SL playing Tharanga in T20 lol

The side that played the T10 league looked better than this.

 

[Deewana Mastana]

What is Matthews doing??

Safeguarding his wicket.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Rubbish team SL. Who allows Dhoni to score at 177 ln a T20

 

[asadee]

Wats happened to their attacking style of play??

 

[Deewana Mastana]

Laughing stock really

Fly out the team from T10

 

[jnaveen1980]

Chahal is gem of a leggie

 

[Reddy]

Chahal is a rockstar.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

Kohli, Shastri & Co treat him as specialist opener (just because he does the toughest job of opening in Test Cricket while Rohit/Dhawan usually hide out! e.g., Australian series! Watch out for upcoming overseas tours where his real essence will be understood!) Even I was hesitant about having him in LOIs because of his inconsistency, temperament & fitness issues. But given the fragility of Indian LOI middle order currently, he is more than enough to be given maximum chance at this point because we are not going to lose much (actually a chance of gaining his confidence which is essential!) As we are playing lot of away matches, he should be part of all formats (hopefully he has worked on his fitness, now he cannot afford to miss any chances given to him! This is the make or break time for cementing his position in Indian team and establishing as a premier batsman!) It is not that he has to open. He can be a floater in this side and if needed he can do the wicket-keeping job as well in case of injury to Dhoni (or when he opts to rest or when retires!) Indian management has to think in wide angles and even Rahul has to be serious about his temperament (needs to work out by talking to seniors!)

He was rightly booted out of ODIs.

Next T20s.

Then Tests.

We don't need players like Rahul who can't score 100s.

We need Dhawans who can.

 

[Hasan123]

Chahal is getting better and better. If India had to pick between him and Kuldeep for the lone spinner role, Chahal would get the nod.

 

[Sadevdesai]

Lanka ..... hopelessly outclassed by a "B" grade Indian Team !!!!!!!!

 

[SL_Fan]

Absolutely dreadful from our lot. Losing is one thing there's no shame in that but the way they just throw in the towel again and again when the going gets tough is pathetic. Even when on top manages to mess everything up. Have zero match awareness minnow level stuff as usual. Anyways congrats India even India B is too good for this mob.

 

[WengerOut]

Chahal is getting better and better. If India had to pick between him and Kuldeep for the lone spinner role, Chahal would get the nod.

In ODIs when you have to consider limiting runs as well as taking wickets, yes. Kuldeep is different class in Tests though.