Rohit Sharma –led Indian Cricket Team will be without their star players going into the Nidahas Trophy, but Chandika Hathurusingha –Head coach of the Sri Lankan side, believes that the Men in Blue are still favorite contender of the T20 International Tri Series.

India is going into the Tri-series, featuring host Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, without their regular skipper Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni, Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya and Bhuvneshwar Kumar, while the series opener will be played on Tuesday (6 March) between the hosts and India in Colombo.

According to a report in Hindustan Times, Hathurusingha said, “If you go by the ratings, India is the No 1 team, so they always start ahead of the other teams. Whoever comes, India is a very strong team. With Bangladesh, because of the last series, we probably have a little edge over them mentally.”

However, Sri Lanka recently had a great Bangladesh tour, showing some improvement winning Test and T20I series against the home side, but their record against India is woeful, and Coach says the Islanders have a little edge over the Tigers, but their main aim is to start well at home.

 He signed off by saying, “Whoever they play on that day, and we prepare for them. If the stars are there, it’s good for the spectators, but unfortunately they’ve come with a different team. It doesn’t mean we’re favorites. With Bangladesh, because of the last series, we probably have a little edge over them mentally. However, that series is over. Our main aim is to start well at home.”

Nidahas trophy 2018 schedule

March 6, 2018 – Sri Lanka vs India

March 8, 2018 – India vs Bangladesh

March 10, 2018 – Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh

March 12, 2018 – Sri Lanka vs India

March 14, 2018 – India vs Bangladesh

March 16, 2018 – Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh

March 18, 2018 – Final