India won the first ODI by seven wickets,[13] and then won the second ODI by three wickets, to take an unassailable lead in the series.[14] Sri Lanka won the third ODI by three wickets, with India winning the series 2–1.[15] India won the first T20I by 38 runs.[16] The second T20I was postponed by one day, after India's Krunal Pandya tested positive for COVID-19.[17] All eight of Pandya's close contacts tested negative for COVID-19, but were not allowed to travel to the ground for the final two matches.[18] Sri Lanka won the second T20I by four wickets to level the series.[19] Sri Lanka won the third T20I by seven wickets and won the series 2–1.[20] It was the first time that Sri Lanka had won a T20I series against India.[21] It was also Sri Lanka's first bilateral series win against India across all formats of international cricket since August 2008.[22]
Background
In May 2020, Sri Lanka Cricket sent an email to the BCCI requesting for the series to be played in July 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[23] It also suggest the possibility of playing the matches behind closed doors.[24] The BCCI responded saying they were open to travelling to Sri Lanka, as long as there is no compromise to the wellbeing of their cricketers.[25] However, they also stated that the tour was "close to impossible at present", and they would have to wait to see how the pandemic unfolds.[26] On 18 May 2020, Ashley de Silva, the CEO of Sri Lanka Cricket, confirmed that the tour had not yet been postponed.[27] At the end of May, Sri Lanka Cricket named a 13-man squad to begin training at the Colombo Cricket Club.[28] In June 2020, the BCCI agreed to tour Sri Lanka in August 2020, subject to government permission.[29][30] On 12 June 2020, the BCCI confirmed that it had called off the tour due to the pandemic.[31]
In May 2021, BCCI President Sourav Ganguly confirmed that India would tour Sri Lanka to play five T20Is, although later the BCCI wanted to reduce it to a three-match series.[32] However, as the tour may ease the financial loses faced due to COVID-19 pandemic by boosting Sri Lanka Cricket's revenue,[33] the board asked the BCCI to play five T20Is instead of three.[34] On 20 May 2021, the BCCI considered the request, and agreed to play five T20Is.[35] However, on 10 June 2021, Sri Lanka Cricket confirmed the tour itinerary with only three T20Is.[36][37] On 8 June 2021, Rahul Dravid was named as the head coach of India's team for the tour.[38]
Ahead of the series, Sri Lanka's Angelo Mathews requested not to take part in the tour for personal reasons.[45] On 9 July 2021, Sri Lanka named a preliminary squad of 25 players for the tour.[46] As per India, Sri Lanka also did not name individual squads for each format,[47] naming a combined squad of 24 players for the tour.[48]Suminda Lakshan was added to Sri Lanka's T20I squad as cover for Wanindu Hasaranga, who suffered an injury in the third ODI.[49] Prior to the second T20I match, Sadeera Samarawickrama was added to Sri Lanka's squad.[50]
