India will face Sri Lanka in the first ODI of the three-match series on Friday (August 2) at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. Rohit Sharma, who has retired from T20Is after India’s win in the T20 World Cup 2024 final, will lead the side, which also features Virat Kohli. The duo hasn’t played any ODI matches for India since the 2023 ODI World Cup final.
In India’s only ODI series in 2024, the duo will look to come up with a big show and help the world No. 1 team maintain its dominance over the Sri Lankans. In the last two 50-over matches played between India and Sri Lanka, India has dismissed Sri Lanka for 50 (Asia Cup 2023 final) and 55 (ODI World Cup 2023) runs to secure wins by a margin of 10 wickets and 302 runs, respectively.
India has picked up a strong 15-member squad for the ODI series against Sri Lanka, and it will be interesting to see who all gets a chance to feature in the playing XI. Rohit is all set to open the innings with Shubman Gill, who is the only other specialised opener in the 15-member squad. Kohli will bat in his usual No. 3 position, followed by Shreyas Iyer at No. 4.
The Kolkata Knight Riders captain, who dropped from the central contract list earlier this year, scored over 500 runs in the ODI World Cup last year. It will be interesting to see who out of Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul gets a chance to play as a wicketkeeper-batter. There’s a high possibility that both of them will be part of the playing XI, with Pant doing the stumper duties.
Axar Patel and Washington Sundar have impressed with their all-round performances in the recently concluded three-match T20I series, and in Ravindra Jadeja’s absence, they are both expected to be part of the playing XI. Their inclusion will not just give a handy bowling option but also add depth to the batting.
Kuldeep Yadav was rested for the T20I series but is set to play as the specialist spinner in the 50-over matches. In Bumrah’s absence, Mohammed Siraj will lead India’s pace attack and have Arshdeep Singh for support.
Shivam Dube, Riyan Parag, Harshit Rana, and Khaleel Ahmed are other members of the ODI squad, but it is highly unlikely that they will get a chance to play in the first couple of ODIs at least.
India’s likely playing XI for the 1st ODI against Sri Lanka: Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant (WK), Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj.
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