With the three-match series already in kitty 2-0, India eye another series sweep heading into the third T20I as Sri Lanka skipper Dasun Shanaka won the toss and opted to bat first to salvage their pride.
Rohit made four changes in the playing XI as Ravi Bishnoi, Kuldeep Yadav, Avesh Khan and Mohammed Siraj coming was included and Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Yuzvendra Chahal has been rested for the final clash.
"We wanted to bowl first as well, want to keep challenging to get better as a team, every opportunity counts. Ishan is ruled out, and wasn't feeling great last night. Bumrah, Bhuvi and Chahal are all rested. Bishnoi, Kuldeep, Avesh and Siraj are in. It's a great feeling representing your country in 125 T20Is, feels good, look to continue playing for many more years," India's skipper Rohit Sharma said before the match.
"We will bat first, a very good wicket, the conditions are really good. Two changes for us, Praveen Jayawickrama and Kamil Mishara are out, Janith Liyanage and Jeffrey Vandersay are in. We want to win at least one game for pride, a good opportunity for our boys," Sri Lankan captain Dasun Shanaka said.
Meanwhile, India's star opener Ishan Kishan was ruled out of third and final T20I against Sri Lanka after being struck on the head while batting in the second match on Saturday (February 26). However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said that Ishan's CT scan reports are 'normal' but its medical team will continue to closely monitor his signs of concussion.
If India manage to win this match, they will become the first team to inflict three consecutive series whitewash on three Test playing nations.
Not just this, one more victory against Lanka will make India equal Afghanistan’s most consecutive T20I wins record. India are already on a 11 match winning run while Afghanistan hold the record of most consecutive wins with 12 matches.
IND vs SL Head to Head
Overall games – 24, India – 16, Sri Lanka – 7, NR – 1
Pitch Report:
The Dharamsala pitch in the second game offered a lot for the seamers in the first few overs but once the ball got a little softer, it became a batting paradise. A score of 184 was chased down with over two overs to spare and it definitely shows that it is a quality wicket to bat on. The skipper winning the toss will be looking to get the opponents to bat first with the conditions improving for batters once the match progresses.
India's Playing XI: Rohit Sharma (captain), Sanju Samson (wicketkeeper), Shreyas Iyer, Ravindra Jadeja, Venkatesh Iyer, Deepak Hooda, Harshal Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Avesh Khan.
Sri Lanka's Playing XI: Pathum Nissanka, Danushka Gunathilaka, Charith Asalanka, Dinesh Chandimal (wicketkeeper), Janith Liyanage, Dasun Shanaka (captain), Chamika Karunaratne, Dushmantha Chameera, Jeffrey Vandersay, Binura Fernando, Lahiru Kumara.
