Sri Lanka Opt to Bowl in Series Decider

Sri Lanka, having already lost the series, will be hoping to avoid a whitewash as they elected to bowl first in the final T20I against India at Pallekele.

Captain Charith Asalanka won the toss after a rain-delayed start, opting to field first on a fresh pitch that is expected to offer assistance to spinners. The toss itself was delayed by 70 minutes, with the match commencing an hour later due to wet outfield conditions.

Despite the weather, both teams were keen to bowl first, with India making four changes to ensure everyone in the squad got at least one game.

Shubman Gill, who missed the second T20I due to neck spasms, returned to the side. Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar and Khaleel Ahmed also earned their first appearances of the series, replacing Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel and Arshdeep Singh.

Here are the full playing XIs for both sides:

Sri Lanka:

1. Pathum Nissanka
2. Kusal Mendis (wk)
3. Kusal Perera
4. Kamindu Mendis
5. Charith Asalanka (capt)
6. Chamindu Wickramasinghe
7. Wanindu Hasaranga
8. Ramesh Mendis
9. Maheesh Theekshana
10. Asitha Fernando
11. Matheesha Pathirana

India:

1. Yashasvi Jaiswal
2. Shubman Gill
3. Suryakumar Yadav (capt)
4. Sanju Samson (wk)
5. Riyan Parag
6. Shivam Dube
7. Rinku Singh
8. Washington Sundar
9. Ravi Bishnoi
10. Mohammed Siraj
11. Khaleel Ahmed

The match promises to be a tense affair as Sri Lanka fight for pride and India aim to complete a clean sweep.