Sri Lanka vs South Africa – 1st T20I Match Preview and Prediction
Sri Lanka won the ODI series against South Africa 2-1 and will be confident going into the T20 series. It has also won the last two T20 series it has played under Dasun Shanaka’s leadership. Those were series against Pakistan and India, so they were nothing to laugh at. South Africa will be upset to have lost the ODI series, but the T20 World Cup is just around the corner, and this is the main event on which everyone’s attention will be focused.
On September 10, 2021, the match will take held at the R.Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
Match Details to Note
Series: South Africa tour of Sri Lanka, 2021, Sri Lanka vs South Africa, 3rd T20I
Date: September 10, 2021 (Friday)
Time: 07:00 PM IST.
Venue: R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
Sri Lanka vs South Africa Team Previews
Sri Lanka
As players like Wanindu Hasaranga, Avishka Fernando, and Charithha Asalanka create a name for themselves at the international level, Sri Lanka is gaining much-needed momentum ahead of the T20 World Cup. We believe that the same pattern that we witnessed against India would be repeated in this series.
That means the batting will be reliant on Avishka Fernando, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dasun Shanaka, Charitha Asalanka, and maybe Kusal Perera (if he is fit once more). This is not a terrible batting order, and it has proved that it is more than capable of scoring the runs needed to defeat South Africa.
The surface in Colombo is not very spin-friendly, but it does provide some assistance to slower bowlers, which is where Sri Lanka will be looking to gain an advantage. Akila Danajaya, Wanindu Hasaranga, and maybe Chamika Karunaratne will all play important roles in this match.
Sri Lanka remains the underdog in their match, although it is not as far behind South Africa as many thought.
Sri Lanka T20I Squad
Kusal Perera(w), Avishka Fernando, Kamindu Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka(c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Dushmantha Chameera, Praveen Jayawickrama, Maheesh Theekshana, Dinesh Chandimal, Nuwan Pradeep, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Lahiru Madushanka, Pulina Tharanga, Akila Dananjaya, Minod Bhanuka, Binura Fernando, Ramesh Mendis, Lahiru Kumara, Pathum Nissanka
Kusal Perera is expected to return after recovering from COVID-19.
Predicted XI: Avishka Fernando, Manod Bhanuka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Dushmantha Chameera, Akila Dhananjaya, Maheesh Theekshana
South Africa
South Africa suffered a crushing setback in the ODI series and will be trying to rebound. We believe that the T20 format is more suited to it than the ODI format. A world-class bowling squad includes Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Tabraiz Shamsi, and Lungi Nagidi. The circumstances may force Ngidi to be benched in favor of Bjor Fortuin, although that remains to be seen.
Wiaan Mulder, George Linde, and Dwaine Pretorious are examples of all-rounders who might be utilized to balance out the bowling assault.
Quinton de Kock, one of the most dangerous batters in this version of the game, will lead the batting. Aiden Markram, Reeza Hendricks, David Miller, and Rassie van der Dussen can all easily win the match with the bat.
The most difficult hurdle for South Africa will be acclimating to the conditions, but they already have a decent sense of what to expect following the ODIs.
South Africa T20I Squad
Quinton de Kock(w), Aiden Markram, Reeza Hendricks, Rassie van der Dussen, David Miller, Dwaine Pretorius, Keshav Maharaj(c), Kagiso Rabada, Bjorn Fortuin, Anrich Nortje, Tabraiz Shamsi, Andile Phehlukwayo, Lizaad Williams, Beuran Hendricks, Sisanda Magala, George Linde, Heinrich Klaasen, Wiaan Mulder
Quinton de Kock returns to the side to maintain wickets, while the toss is between Sisanda Magala and Anrich Nortje.
Predicted XI: Quinton de Kock, Janneman Malan, Reeza Hendricks, Rassie van der Dussen; David Miller, Wiaan Mulder, George Linde, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Tabraiz Shamsi
Sri Lanka vs South Africa Toss Prediction
Both teams will be eager to bowl first and take advantage of the new ground conditions in Colombo. At R.Premadasa Stadium, the average first-inning score is between 150 and 160 runs.
Pitch and Weather Conditions
The surface has historically favored spin bowlers; as evidenced by the fact that the four biggest wicket takers in the ODI series were spinners. The track, though, is favorable to batting, and the onus will be on the marquee players to score large.
The weather at the stadium will be overcast, with temperatures hovering around 28 degrees Celsius. A high humidity of up to 80% will make the circumstances appear hotter than they are; despite the fact that there is a very low risk of precipitation.
What to Expect from this Match
All six limited-overs matches will be played at the same location and the pitches have a history of becoming weary. The spinners played a significant part in the last ODI, and the trend is expected to continue in the T20I series as well.
Sri Lanka vs South Africa Match Prediction
We’re going to put money on South Africa to win this game. We believe it has a far greater bowling assault than the Sri Lankans, and we believe here is where the contest will be won.
South Africa is the favourite to win this match.
