KalingaTV News Network
Cuttack: India will begin its three-match T20 series against Sri Lanka at the iconic Barabati Stadium here today. The match will begin at 07.00 PM, while the gates of the stadium will be opened for the spectators from 04.00 PM onward.
The test series and one-day series in pocket, the Rohit Sharma-led India side will look to polish off the T20I series on a perfect note. However, India do not have happy memories of the solitary T20I at the Barabati Stadium. Cuttack has only hosted one T20 match, in which South Africa bowled India out for 92 before strolling to a six-wicket win, amid crowd trouble, in 2015.
Sri Lanka, on the other hand, have lost five T20Is on the trot, starting from the match against Bangladesh in April.
For the visitors, Upul Tharanga was in imperious form during his 95 in the third ODI and he would be the key for Sri Lanka. Former skipper Angelo Mathews, who scored a century in the second ODI, would be the vital cog in Sri Lankan wheel.
The Commissionerate Police has beefed up security in the twin cities of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack in view of the match. As many as 63 and 18 platoons of police have been deployed in Cuttack and Bhubaneswar respectively for the smooth conduct of the match.
The second T20 will be played on December 22 at Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore, while the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai to host the third T20 on December 24.
Ms Kalinga AI