Irfan Pathan identifies the biggest threats for India ahead of the Sri Lanka series

Team India has been told by Irfan Pathan not to underestimate Sri Lanka, and he has listed a few players who could pose serious dangers to the hosts.

A three-match T20I series between the Men in Blue and the Lankan Lions will begin on Tuesday, January 3, at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium. The 18-player Sri Lankan team will be captained by Dasun Shanaka, with Wanindu Hasaranga operating as his deputy.

Pathan suggested that Hardik Pandya and company should be cautious of the visitors while previewing the series on the Star Sports program,

“Follow the Blues,” saying: “Sri Lanka is not that bad a team. We know what they did in the Asia Cup. They really did well. We have to be careful.”

I was extremely impressed with his approach: Irfan Pathan

The former Indian pacer listed a few Sri Lankan players who might challenge the hosts.

“I really feel that Kusal Mendis, Hasaranga as well as Lahiru Kumara – who has got express pace, Maheesh Theekshana – these four-five guys can be real threats. Their captain Shanaka, I quite like that pick, he is fearless. He has got that long handle as well when he bats.”

In their Asia Cup Super 4 match in Dubai in September of last year, Sri Lanka defeated India by six wickets. Dasun Shanaka, who took two wickets in as many overs and then smashed an unbeaten 33 off only 18 balls to help his team surpass a 174-run mark with one ball remaining, was named Player of the Match in that match.

“The captaincy Hardik has done, whether it was for the Gujarat franchise in the Indian T20 League or at the start for India, I felt the communication was extremely good. He was seen as very agile.” the former all-rounder on Pandya as Indian skipper.

If the Gujarat franchise captain wishes to serve as India’s long-term skipper, Pathan stated that he must pay close attention to his fitness.

“When there was talk about his captaincy, I was extremely impressed with his approach but along with that India will have to keep in mind that if you are making him the long-term captain, they will have to concentrate a lot on his fitness, whether you talk about him or the team management. It will be very crucial going ahead.”