The Sri Lankan cricket team will start their full-fledged tour of the West Indies with the first of the three-match T20I series from Thursday, March 4 (in the wee hours of India) at the Stanford Cricket Ground in Antigua.
The series will also see legend Chris Gayle to the West Indies squad for the first time since the 2019 World Cup.
“I know being back, it might be a little bit of attention, but I don’t want it to go in that regards,” the 41-year-old Chris Gayle said about his return. “We’re looking at things as a team point of view. Kieron Pollard is a very strong captain and we have a lot of very, very good-quality players within the team. I want to win the series.”
All the T20I games will be played at the same venue due to the ongoing pandemic.
This will be West Indies’ first international home game since January last year when they hosted Ireland in a three-match ODI series and as many T20Is. Since then, the Caribbeans have played England, New Zealand, and Bangladesh, but all those series have come away from home.
The Sri Lanka tour was initially scheduled to begin on February 28 and St Lucia was also marked as one of the venues. But with Sri Lanka coach Mickey Arthur and batsman Lahiru Thirimanne both testing positive for the virus, the home side was forced to push back the dates.
The Lankan Lions have been active on the international circuit but they have only played Test matches against South Africa and England. Their last T20I series dates back to a year ago in March when they met West Indies in a two-match series and lost.
Despite their recent loss though, it is Sri Lanka who dominate the head-to-head proceedings, winning six of the 11 T20Is played between the two teams. West Indies have won five.
West Indies vs Sri Lanka T20I schedule, fixtures and India match times
All times are in Indian Standard Time (IST)
| Date and Day | Match | Time (IST) | Venue |
| 4 March, Thursday | West Indies vs Sri Lanka, 1st T20I | 3:30 AM | Stanford Cricket Ground |
| 6 March, Saturday | West Indies vs Sri Lanka, 2nd T20I | 3:30 AM | Stanford Cricket Ground |
| 8 March, Monday | West Indies vs Sri Lanka, 3rd T20I | 3:30 AM | Stanford Cricket Ground |
West Indies vs Sri Lanka T20I squads
West Indies T20I squad: Kieron Pollard (captain), Nicholas Pooran, Fabian Allen Dwayne Bravo, Fidel Edwards, Andre Fletcher (wicket-keeper), Chris Gayle, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Evin Lewis, Obed McCoy, Rovman Powell, Lendl Simmons, Kevin Sinclair
Sri Lanka T20I squad: Angelo Mathews (captain), Dimuth Karunaratne, Danushka Gunathilake, Dinesh Chandimal (wicket-keeper), Niroshan Dickwella (wicket-keeper), Thisara Perera, Wanindu Hasaranga, Lakshan Sandakan, Suranga Lakmal, Asitha Fernando, Dushmantha Chameera
West Indies vs Sri Lanka T20I series will not be broadcast in India, this includes telecast and live streaming. Live scores, however, will be available on SportsAdda here.
Feature image courtesy: AFP / Ishara Kodikara
