Assuming they win the toss, teams with winning records may be tempted to bowl first as this pitch has proven beneficial to batters in the past. However, as soon as old pitches wear down they may start turning more.
Pallekele Stadium provides an excellent pitch for batting. Teams generally score over 280 runs on this wicket; its characteristics may also provide spinners an edge.
Bowling Conditions
Pallekele International Cricket Stadium has long been revered for its batting-friendly surface, which has led to high-scoring matches over time. Dew may play a part, making fast bowlers and spinners find it harder to grip the ball; batsmen tend to dominate as a result and winning most T20I matches played here have typically come through successfully as teams chasing successfully have taken most victories so far.
As the game continues, however, the pitch usually softens and allows batsmen to enjoy its true bounce and pace; leading to some impressive scores in ODI and T20I matches played here. Spinners also gain advantage; teams with quality bowlers typically picking up wickets here.
Experienced batsman such as Ishan Kishan will be expected to capitalise on the pitch, while India’s top order needs to remain vigilant against Sri Lankan bowlers. A solid start is especially critical given their disappointing showing in their opening match against Pakistan which had to be abandoned due to rain.
Charith Asalanka has taken over from Hardik Pandya as captain of Sri Lanka, and will look to use home conditions to gain an edge against Suryakumar Yadav’s side, who have won both games thus far against Sri Lankan opposition and aim to ensure they secure a spot in Super Four.
Batting Conditions
Pallekele International Cricket Stadium provides challenging batting conditions for batsmen. The wicket tends to be fresh, providing early swing and swing to fast bowlers that makes early stages challenging; as matches progress however, the pitch tends to slow down and provide spinners an opportunity to make inroads into batsman’s swing and this balanced nature of its pitch provides thrilling contests between bat and ball.
Sri Lanka and India will battle it out in the opening ODI of their three-match series on Sunday, October 20. Host Sri Lanka have an opportunity to even the series by facing Suryakumar Yadav’s team in their own territory; whereas Suryakumar’s side have proven too strong in previous short format games to halt.
Tillakaratne Dilshan holds the record for scoring the most runs at this venue with 939 in 15 innings; Glenn Maxwell from Australia scored an unbeaten 145 off 65 balls during their team’s win here in 2016. India defeated Pakistan by an innings and secured top position in their pool with four points, earning themselves bragging rights as winners of this tournament’s shortest format of cricket.
India will hope to build upon this outstanding win while their visitors look to continue dominating in shorter forms of the game.
Fielding Options
Pallekele International Cricket Stadium is a stunning venue that provides something for everyone. The pitch is known for being evenly balanced, producing thrilling contests between bat and ball. Early moisture may aid fast bowlers initially; as play progresses however, the pitch often opens up enough for batsmen to score freely.
Spinners should make use of this surface, as dew may cause the ball to grip and turn. Therefore, captains who win the toss should try and field first in order to test out Indian batters with quick bowling attacks.
Teams batting second can often struggle on this pitch, as they will need to endure its early overs. As play progresses, however, the pitch becomes more spinnerfriendly, giving those teams with quality spinners an edge.
India and Sri Lanka will contest a three-match T20I series at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy. Both sides boast formidable batting units with experienced captains for T20Is; Suryakumar Yadav will lead India here following Hardik Pandya’s fitness issues; together they hope to lead their respective sides to victory in this pivotal series.
Also see; Sri Lanka National Cricket Team Vs India National Cricket Team Match Scorecard
Statistics
Pallekele International Cricket Stadium is known for hosting high-scoring matches and teams boasting quality spinners have an edge here. While initially, its surface offers good pace and bounce, as time progresses it tends to ease off, which allows batsmen to score runs and make life difficult for bowlers.
Sri Lanka won their last Twenty20 International match here with Kusal Perera’s unbeaten 53 and Pathum Nissanka’s 24-ball 32 helping Sri Lanka secure victory with minimal runs scored. India would hope to replicate these performances in this match; should Gautam Gambhir win the toss, he may opt to bat first instead.
On day one, however, the pitch may not offer much speed due to rain potentially disrupting play or dew coming into effect and slowing its decline.
At Pallekele Stadium, in 23 T20Is that have been played here, teams batting first have won 12 times while eight matches ended tied and two had no result. Australia recorded the highest T20I total here – 263/3 posted by them against Sri Lanka at their final T20I of their tour here in 2016. Ajantha Mendis took most wickets against Australia with 6/16!
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