Can you imagine that when Team India will take field at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Friday, August 2, it will be the first one-day international for them this year. The entire first half of 2024 solely belonged to the T20 World Cup. Now, the next ICC event is the Champions Trophy for which the upcoming three-match ODI series could be a great stepping stone.
Heavyweights in Rohit, Kohli back!
It isn’t an overstatement to say that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will add a majority of significance into this series. The two pillars of Indian cricket have done it all. And after biding adieu to the shortest format, they are yet again here to contribute. Both Rohit and Kohli had a dream ODI World Cup 2023, finishing as two of the highest run-getters and dominating left, right and center. Similar is what we expect.
While Virat had a mediocre T20 World Cup 2024, he hit his straps when India needed him the most, i.e., in the final against the Proteas. The modern-day master is a true icon in ODIs and Sri Lanka would be wary of his threat. Rohit, meanwhile, has walked the talk. He will put the opposition bowlers under pressure, maximize the powerplay and will ‘unselfishly’ put the team’s interest first. The ODIs will also be the first time Rohit-Kohli will work under head coach Gautam Gambhir, who took India to a 3-0 cleansweep in the T20Is.
How can India lineup in 1st ODI?
All eyes will be on Team India could lineup in the 1st ODI against Sri Lanka. It is fair to say that India’s top five all locked. Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill are unbreakable duo. Number three is synonymous with Virat Kohli and the return of Shreyas Iyer means he will continue to bat at number four, from where he produced a scintillating ODI World Cup 2023 campaign. Another player who had a terrific World Cup is KL Rahul, who should ideally bat at number five given his immense success there.
No. 6 and 7 will be up for a toss as India have the likes of Shivam Dube, Riyan Parag, Rishabh Pant, and even Washington Sundar to choose from. Given how openly Gambhir has advocated to have multiple bowling options with him, it is likely that India give Parag his ODI debut as well. The other two all-rounders can be Sundar and Axar Patel, with the latter being a certainty. Another certainty is Kuldeep Yadav, who will be the X-factor for Rohit.
India have two out of four pace bowling options to choose from. Arshdeep Singh is most likely to slot in given his success in the shortest format. Mohammed Siraj boasts a stellar record against the Lankans and India will include him at number 11. Debut for Harshit Rana might have to wait, it seems!
What about Sri Lanka?
Sri Lanka have suffered blows well before the series have begun. While their confidence will be quite low, especially after bottling an easy chase in the 3rd T20I, two of their premier pacers are out of the series. Matheesha Pathirana and Dilshan Madushanka have both ruled out and Sri Lanka have added two unknown talents in Mohammed Shiraz and Eshan Malinga. Charith Asalanka will be leading the side and will have experienced individuals in Wanindu Hasaranga, Kusal Mendis and Sadeera Samarawickrama. Having said that, they look far more inferior than India and it will take a lot from them if the hosts are to put up a fight.
India vs Sri Lanka 1st ODI: Predicted XIs
India
Rohit Sharma (c), Ꮪhubman Gill (vc), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Riyan Parag, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh
Sri Lanka
Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis (wk), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka (c), Kamindu Mendis, Dunith Wellalage/Chamika Karunaratne, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Mohamed Shiraz, Asitha Fernando
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