U19 CWC: Power-packed India take on impressive Sri Lanka in semis

India is hosting Sri Lanka for a three-match Twenty20 worldwide (T20I) series.

England failed to match its earlier run-feast in Group C where it racked up totals of 371 for three against Fiji, 282 for seven against the West Indies and 288 for four against Zimbabwe.

The series is Ford s first assignment since returning for a second stint in charge of the islanders last week. MS Dhoni will lead the side which will also see Yuvraj Singh feature besides usual suspects Rohit, Shikhar Dhawan, Suresh Raina, and Ravindra Jadeja in the batting line-up. In fact, Pandey would be very eager to stamp his class in the T20 format too ahead of the Asia Cup and World T20 events for which he has not found a place in the squad.

The likes of regular T20 skipper Lasith Malinga, Test captain Angelo Mathews and premier spinner Rangana Herath are racing against time to get fit for the World T20.

The Sri Lankans will have to make do without Tillakaratne Dilshan, who has suffered a hand injury, and been replaced by wicketkeeper-batsman Niroshan Dickwella. His inclusion is a gamble that the Lankans will be hoping pay off on this short tour which concludes at Vishakapatnam on February 14. Dilshan aggravated the injury in the semifinal of the Super T20 Provincial Tournament while attempting a catch and as a result had to sit out of the final.

In contrast, Sri Lanka were humbled by New Zealand on their tour of New Zealand. Seekuge Prasanna, Thisara Perera and Milinda Siriwardana are the all-rounders in the squad which has some others such as Danushka Gunathilaka, Dasun Shanaka, Asela Gunaratne, Kasun Rajitha and Sachithra Senanayake, who are largely unfamiliar to the Indian fans.

If India win the series 2-1 they will maintain their top spot but Sri Lanka will climb to the fourth spot.

In the same report, Michael Zoysha, ex-Sri Lanka team manager was quoted saying, “I don’t know when this practice started, but even during my time we had this practice”. Fernando hit 11 boundaries and a six to steer Sri Lanka towards an emphatic win. Match commences at 7:30 pm (IST).