If you were asked about two teams in cricket that play each other most regularly, it is very likely that the first two names out of your mouth are India and Sri Lanka. We are not kidding when we say that another of this bilateral series could spark protests in the street because the fans are literally bored of India - Sri Lanka games. For the record, these teams have played at least once a year since 1983.
With the first T20I at Guwahati washed out, Indore and Pune beckon for the teams to make this series an interesting one and both matches are set to unfold this week. While India are the stronger side on paper, Sri Lanka had recently beaten Pakistan 3-0 in Pakistan with a second-string side. But the stronger second-string side has remained in Lanka and it's the main team here in India, so it's unlikely that they would test the hosts.
Watch out for:
Jasprit Bumrah
Bumrah played just two T20Is for India in 2019 with the focus being on ODIs and Tests. But now that he has recovered from injury and with the T20 World Cup in Australia looming, Bumrah ought to be on the team sheet a lot more frequently. The incredible pacer is likely to make a huge impact on his comeback with his economy in T20Is against Lanka sitting at 6.17.
Ireland in the Caribbean
At the other end of the world, we have an Irish side touring the Caribbean Islands for a bilateral series with three ODIs and three T20Is. West Indies, fresh off a loss against India, are set to welcome Ireland at home with them sporting some pretty in-form players. The focus is, however, on whether Ireland can pull off an upset win and the odds aren't heavily stacked against that either with West Indies' fickle nature in ODIs. However, the hosts appeared quite good against India with the Chennai ODI showing exactly what they are capable of in this format.
Watch out for:
Andrew Balbirnie
The Ireland skipper comes off the back of a stellar 2019. After a career-best 145* against Afghanistan in March, Balbirnie scored a 135, albeit in a loss, against the Windies in the last ODI between these two teams. The middle-order batsman then went on to make another ton in the format against Zimbabwe and is in some good form heading into 2020. He will want to lead an underwhelming side from the front this series.
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Feature image courtesy: AFP / Dibgyangshu Sarkar
