Match Details:
The 1st match of the Lanka Premier League will be played between Colombo Kings and Kandy Tuskers at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium, Sooriyawewa, Hambantota.
This match is scheduled to start at 07:30 PM Local Time and IST. The game will be telecasted on Sony Six.
Preview:
The inaugural edition of the Lanka Premier League will kick-off on Thursday in Hambantota. The opening game of the tournament will take place between Colombo Kings and Kandy Tuskers The Kings boast of some of the best players in the format and have good local players like Angelo Mathews, Chandimal and Udana in their line-up. Kandy Tuskers faced a lot of problems with their players pulling out at the last moment. But they have managed to assemble a decent squad with the likes of Irfan Pathan, Dale Steyn and Munaf Patel taking part.
COL vs KAN Weather Report for Match 1:
There is no chance of rain with a pleasant evening likely to welcome both the teams for the tournament opener. The temperature is expected to be around 27-28 Degrees Celsius.
Pitch Condition/Report:
This is the first game of the season in Hambantota and we can expect a fresh and hard wicket. However, the surface at the venue is known to host low-scoring matches with spinners getting extra assistance.
Injury and Availability News:
Sohail Tanvir tested positive for Covid-19 and is unavailable for this match.
Dale Steyn is set to miss this encounter as he’s yet to reach Lanka.
Also Read- ICC Awards of the Decade: All the categories and nominations you need to know
Shikhar Dhawan gives sneak peek into team India’s new jersey ahead of Australia series
COL vs KAN Today’s Probable Playing XIs:
Colombo Kings predicted XI:
Kalana Perera/Lahiru Udana, Daniel Bell-Drummond, Dinesh Chandimal (wk), Laurie Evans, Angelo Mathews (c), Andre Russell, Isuru Udana, Dushmantha Chameera, Qais Ahmed, Jeffrey Vandersay/Amila Aponso, Dhammika Prasad
Bench:
Kalana Perera/Lahiru Udana, Ashan Priyanjan, Navod Paranavithana, Thikshila de Silva, Himesh Ramanayake, Tharindu Ratnayake, Karm Sadiq, Manpreet Gony, Jeffrey Vandersay/Amila Aponso, Tharindu Kaushal
Kandy Tuskers predicted XI:
Kusal Mendis, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Brendan Taylor, Kusal Perera, Asela Gunaratne, Irfan Pathan, Priyamal Perera, Kamindu Mendis/Dilruwan Perera, Munaf Patel/Naveen-ul-Haq, Nuwan Pradeep, Lasith Embuldeniya/Vishwa Fernando
Bench:
Lasith Embuldeniya/Vishwa Fernando, Ishan Jayaratne, Kamindu Mendis/Dilruwan Perera, Nishan Madushanka, Seekkuge Prasanna, Munaf Patel/Naveen-ul-Haq, Kaveeshka Anjula, Lahiru Samarakoon, Chamika Edirisinghe, Dale Steyn, Kevin Koththigoda
COL vs KAN Top picks for Today’s 11Wickets Match:
Kusal Mendis scored a lot of runs in the Army Commanders League at an average of 91.5 and a strike-rate of 167.89. Irfan Pathan looked in great touch with the bat in the Road Safety World Series earlier this year. His all-round skills will be useful for Kandy Tuskers. Andre Russell is the best T20 all-rounder when he is in form. Despite having a not so good IPL, he will be a great pick in Fantasy XI.
Captain and Vice-Captain Selection:
Captain Options – Dinesh Chandimal, Kusal Mendis
Vice-Captain Options – Irfan Pathan, Andre Russell
Suggested Playing XI No.1 for COL vs KAN 11Wickets Fantasy Cricket:
Keeper – Dinesh Chandimal (C), Kusal Perera
Batters – R Gurbaz, Daniel Bell-Drummond, Kusal Mendis
All-Rounders – Angelo Mathews, Andre Russell, Irfan Pathan (VC)
Bowlers – Qais Ahmed, Isuru Udana, Naveen-ul-Haq
12th Man – Seekkuge Prasanna
Suggested Playing XI No.2 for COL vs KAN 11Wickets Fantasy Cricket:
Keeper – Kusal Perera
Batters – Daniel Bell-Drummond, Asela Gunaratne, Kusal Mendis (C), Rahmanullah Gurbaz
All-Rounders – Andre Russell (VC), Dilruwan Perera, Irfan Pathan
Bowlers – Isuru Udana, Naveen-ul-Haq, Qais Ahmed
12th Man – Seekkuge Prasanna
Expert Advice:
Dinesh Chandimal was in great form in the recent Army Commanders League and scored runs at an average of 48 and SR of close to 151. He can be made captain of your Fantasy team.
COL vs KAN Probable Winners:
Colombo Kings is expected to win this match.
