×

India vs Sri Lanka, 1st ODI preview and likely XIs: Virat Kohli and co. look to resolve No. 4 issue; hosts eye World Cup 2019 qualification

India and Sri Lanka will meet for an ODI after ICC Champions Trophy 2017.

© Getty Images
© Getty Images

After maintaining a clean sheet in Tests, India would be keen to inflict more pain in the five-match ODI series versus Sri Lanka. The series opener will be played at Dambulla on Sunday (August 20) and both sides will square up with different agendas. While Virat Kohli and co. have been joined by limited-overs specialists, MS Dhoni, Kedar Jadhav, Manish Pandey etc. Sri Lanka are bolstered by the return of Lasith Malinga. Angelo Mathews will take a backseat, and Upul Tharanga will be calling the shots after the former’s resignation from the top job.

World Cup 2019 is the next mega event in the pipeline. With less than two years to go, every side is starting to identify their ‘core’ players. India will like to sort out two major issues; middle order and a fixed bowling line-up (especially in spin department). The World Cup 2011 winning side have opened auditions for the vital ‘No. 4’ slot. KL Rahul has been entrusted with the position for this series, and Pandey is acting as backup. But is Dhoni a dependable No. 5 option? His strike rate is surely on the decline. Will team management use him at No. 4 and make Rahul/Pandey bat at 5?

Sure, one cannot have a ‘fixed’ bowling line-up with World Cup in 2019 still almost 2 years away. But, India will like to have more surety in their spin arsenal. Ravichandran Ashwin looks out of sorts with the white ball and Ravindra Jadeja is inconsistent. The duo have been rested, which only adds to their minimal participation in coloured-clothing since 2015. The onus falls on the trio of Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal and Akshar Patel.

Patel has a knack of keeping things tight and is a handy batter as well. Chahal has the backing of Kohli and doesn’t shy away from giving adequate flight. And a leg-spinner always adds extra zing to the kitty. Lastly, Kuldeep adds both mystery and variety in the line-up courtesy his left-arm wrist spin. India have, off late, understood the importance of having a Chinaman bowler as it gives more wicket taking options in the decisive middle overs. Who among the trio will get a regular run in the Playing XI? From Sunday, we will slowly get to know the team management’s thinking as well.

With Umesh Yadav and Mohammad Shami rested, Shardul Thakur will also have a chance to showcase his talent at the big stage. After a successful India A tour of South Africa, Thakur will be rearing to go if given a chance. Nonetheless, the ball should grip under lights and will force the management to play two spinners. Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah will spearhead the pace battery along with Hardik Pandya.

India likely XI: Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli (c), KL Rahul, MS Dhoni (wk), Kedar Jadhav, Hardik Pandya, Akshar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah

The situation is totally different for Sri Lanka. Test captain Dinesh Chandimal has been shown the door from ODIs. There is no one as reliable as ‘Rangana Herath’ in limited overs. With Mathews’ exit as skipper, Tharanga and co. will start afresh. He will like to build a team with a correct mix of young guns and experienced campaigners. This will take time, but it will all depend on the management’s wise ‘selection’. It is a phase wherein they will have to inject self belief in youngsters, give them a good rope and take some ‘bold’ decisions as well. Is this series the start of all this?

Sri Lanka are already coming off a home series defeat against Zimbabwe. They are wary of the challenges posed by No. 3 ranked Indian side. But, hosts’ have another daunting task in hand. Tharanga-led side have to win at least two matches in the series to secure a place in the pinnacle 50-over competition by staving off the challenge from 9th-ranked West Indies. The cut-off date for direct qualification is September 30. Sri Lanka is currently placed eighth with 88 points, 10 points more than the Caribbean team. Hosts will be itching to start well and get rid of the ‘qualification’ scenario as soon as possible.

Sri Lanka likely XI: Upul Tharanga (c), Dhanushka Gunathilaka, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Chamara Kapugdera, Niroshan Dickwella, Thisara Perera, Malinda Pushpakumara, Lakshan Sandakan, Lasith Malinga, Dushmantha Chameera

Trivia:

India won their last bilateral series in Sri Lanka 4-1 (2012).

Last meeting:

Sri Lanka toppled India by 7 wickets in Group B clash of ICC Champions Trophy 2017 (June).

Squads:

India:

Virat Kohli (c), Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma(vc), KL Rahul, Manish Pandey, Ajinkya Rahane, Kedar Jadhav, MS Dhoni (wk), Hardik Pandya, Akshar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Shardul Thakur.

Sri Lanka: 

Upul Tharanga (c), Angelo Mathews, Niroshan Dickwella, Dhanushka Gunathilaka, Kusal Mendis, Chamara Kapugedera, Milinda Siriwardana, Malinda Pushpakumara, Akila Dananjaya, Lakshan Sandakan, Thisara Perera, Wanindu Hasaranga, Lasith Malinga, Dushmantha Chameera, Vishva Fernando

Time: 14:30 IST

trending this week