Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium Pitch Report For SL Vs WI 1st T20I

Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium [Source: @ICC/X]Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium [Source: @ICC/X]

On Sunday, Sri Lanka will cross swords against West Indies in the first T20I of the upcoming three-match series. The much-awaited encounter is scheduled at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium in Dambulla, Sri Lanka. 

Led by Charith Asalanka, Sri Lanka have announced a formidable playing XI for the series opener against West Indies. The dynamic trio of Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis and Kusal Perera forms Sri Lanka's robust top order, with skipper Asalanka spearheading the middle order alongside Kamindu Mendis and Bhanuka Rajapaksa. Wanindu Hasaranga will be the all-rounder, while Theekshana and Pathirana will play crucial roles with the ball. 

Meanwhile, West Indies will miss the destructive duo of Nicholas Pooran and Andre Russell, who opted out of the tour citing personal reasons. However, the Men in Maroon still have a fearsome batting unit comprising Brandon King, Evin Lewis, Rovman Powell and Sherfane Rutherford. 

While Alzarri Joseph and Romario Shepherd will lead the fast bowling department, Gudakesh Motie could emerge as West Indies' wrecker-in-chief on Sri Lanka's spin-friendly tracks. As both teams prepare to take on each other, let's see how the surface at Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium will behave throughout the game. 

Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium Pitch Report

The pitch at Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium might offer a hint of seam movement to the fast bowlers under the lights. However, the batters can capitalise on the track's even pace and bounce to score runs after negotiating the first few overs. 

The track in Dambulla generally assists the spinners in the middle overs. So, expect the spinners to get some turn and challenge the batters throughout the game. Overall, it will be a decent batting track with some assistance for the new ball bowlers and spinners. 

The track might become trickier for batting as the game progresses. More importantly, teams batting first have won all three matches at this venue. So, the toss-winner will likely bat first and put runs on the board.