🏏India vs Sri Lanka, 1st ODI - Guwahati🏏
After a blockbuster T20I series, the focus now shifts to the One-Day Internationals as India and Sri Lanka lock horns in the first game at the Barsapra Cricket Stadium in Guwahati today.
The hosts would be oozing with confidence, having registered a 2-1 victory in the T20Is, and would be eager to replicate the performances in the 50-over format.
Sri Lanka, on the other hand, would be eyeing redemption after going down in the T20I series and will be leaving no stone unturned to make a comeback in the ODIs.
The Lankans would be hoping to showcase a better performance after their home series against Afghanistan in November, which ended at 1-1.
However, the Indian team would also be aware of the fact that they are heading into this particular series on the back of two consecutive ODI series defeats in the last two months.
While they lost 0-1 in New Zealand in November, they were handed a 1-2 loss by Bangladesh away from home. Therefore, they must pull up their socks as the World Cup preparations get underway.
Against that backdrop, on the eve of the series opener on today, the Indian team management took the call to not rush Jasprit Bumrah's comeback just yet on a precautionary note.
The pace spearhead, who has been out of action since September last year, hadn't even made it to Guwahati - the venue for the first ODI. Among those who have, the focus now shifts to the remaining bunch of seniors who are on comeback trail - skipper Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and KL Rahul - and the changes it brings to how India's top-order shapes up now!
The wicket at the Barsapra Cricket Stadium is a balanced one. Even though a high-scoring contest can be expected, the surface could slow down as the innings progresses. Therefore, the captain winning the toss could bat first.
Rohit Sharma (c), Ishan Kishan, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar,Yuzvendra Chahal, Mohammed Siraj, Mohammed Shami
Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Avishka Fernando, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dasun Shanaka (c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Dilshan Madushanka, Lahiru Kumara
Edited by Viswasruti - 1 years agoWhile Ishan Kishan registered the fastest-ever ODI double century in India’s previous ODI outing against Bangladesh, Virat Kohli roared back to form with a 91-ball 113 in the same match and went on to register his 44th ODI century. The batting megastar would be pumped up to maintain the same consistency level in the Sri Lanka series.
The last few months have been tough for Yuzvendra Chahal and he would now be hoping to make a strong comeback. The wrist-spinner would be looking forward to extracting turn from the Guwahati surface and the make the ball do the talking. Chahal's main aim would to be the frontline spinner for India in this year's World Cup.
Edited by Viswasruti - 1 years agoThe wicket at the Barsapra Cricket Stadium is a balanced one. Even though a high-scoring contest can be expected, the surface could slow down as the innings progresses. Therefore, the captain winning the toss could bat first.
Rohit Sharma (c), Ishan Kishan, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar,Yuzvendra Chahal, Mohammed Siraj, Mohammed Shami
Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Avishka Fernando, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dasun Shanaka (c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Dilshan Madushanka, Lahiru Kumara
With the 2023 World Cup preparations entering its final stages, hosts India have a lot of firming up to do and a problem of plenty at hand as they take on gutsy Sri Lanka in a three-match ODI series beginning Today.
Evidently, the format hasn't lately been their strong suit and against a near-strength India side, the task would be more daunting. As such, Sri Lanka would depend on their in-form opener Pathum Nissanka to provide more stability at the top in the 50-overs format, and their captain Dasun Shanaka to lead by example once again. A big miss on Sri Lanka's part has been the absence of Bhanuka Rajpaksa despite his exploits in the shortest format and on Indian tracks in the IPL. The tourists though have strengthened their bowling by handing a recall to legspinner Jeffrey Vandersay who can be quite handy in these conditions.
What to expect: A batting-friendly surface has been the norm in Guwahati. Early sunset in winters could bring dew into picture earlier than expected, and make chasing a prefered choice of the captains.
Team News
India
Fielding three spin choices in Axar Patel, Washington Sundar and Yuzvendra Chahal will also give India batting depth right until no. 8. Shami and Siraj could share the new-ball duties in Bumrah's absence, with vice-captain Hardik Pandya being the third pace option.