Hosts India will be aiming to complete a 3-0 series whitewash of Sri Lanka when the two sides meet for the final T20I at the Wankhede stadium in Mumbai on Sunday.
Rohit Sharma and his men have been impressive in the two big wins so far in the first two matches and will be hoping for more of the same at the stand-in skipper’s home ground.
Thisara Perera’s men have been thoroughly outclassed in the series so far and will be hoping to salvage some pride before the year ends.
We take a look at the talking points ahead of the final T20I.
BASIL THAMPI IN LINE FOR DEBUT
The Kerala pacer has played no part in the first two matches with Jaydev Unadkat being preferred to the uncapped youngster. However, with the series wrapped for the hosts now, Thampi could make his India debut on Sunday.
The 24-year-old Thampi has impressed for Kerala this year along with some promising displays for India A recently.
Thampi is expected to makes his India debut on Sunday.
INDIA TO TEST BENCH STRENGTH?
While Thampi is in line to make his India bow, there is a case for giving one to all-rounder Deepak Hooda too. The 22-year-old has excelled in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and has done well in the Ranji circuit too for Baroda this year.
Similarly, Sundar has emerged as a promising all-rounder this season and has also performed well for India A which led to his ODI debut against Sri Lanka recently. The team management could throw one or both youngsters into the fray for the final T20I against the struggling islanders.
India will be looking to test its bench strength in a dead rubber.
SRI LANKA DEALT MATHEWS BLOW
Sri Lanka have had little to cheer about in the entire tour so far but one positive has been Angelo Mathews return to form with both bat and ball. The veteran all-rounder played a big role in Sri Lanka’s only win in the tour so far in the first ODI at Dharamshala.
However, the stalwart suffered a hamstring injury in the last T20I which caused him to leave the field in the middle of his bowling spell. His absence will be hugely felt by the tourists who are bereft of experience along with confidence at the moment.
Mathew’s absence will be a big blow to the islanders.
ISLANDER AIM TO END DREADFUL RUN
The Sri Lankans have lost their last seven T20I matches with their last win in the format coming against Bangladesh at home in April this year.
They have since gone on to be whitewashed by Pakistan before losing the first two games against India. They have now lost 22 of their last 30 T20 international in the past two years, a dreadful return for the islanders.
They will desperately be hoping to end a dismal 2017 with a win with new coach Chandika Hathurusingha set to take over soon.
Sri Lanka have lost their last seven T20I games on the trot.
