In the first ODI match of the three-match series, India will take on Sri Lanka at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo today, i.e., August 2 at 2:30 PM IST.
India’s ODI squad, virtually unchanged from one of their greatest World Cup performances in 2023, now welcomes the new head coach Gautam Gambhir in the set up. Moreover, Captain Rohit Sharma is also returning to command of the ODI side after retiring from the T20 format. The Indian captain enjoyed an extensive rest after guiding Team India to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 triumph. With only six matches to prepare for the Champions Trophy next year, the Indian skipper has stated that the following ODI series in Colombo will not be taken lightly. Notably, Sharma is also set to appear in his first ODI since the painful 2023 ODI World Cup final loss to Australia.
Along with him, he will be accompanied by veterans Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, and Kuldeep Yadav in the team who did not participate in India’s 3-0 victory in the three-match T20I series. KL Rahul is expected to take the wicketkeeping duties for the first ODI against Sri Lanka, in lieu of Rishabh Pant, who has had an erratic stretch in T20I contests thus far.
Sri Lanka, on the other hand, will enter the inaugural ODI with two untested seamers Asitha Fernando and Mohamed Shiraz or Eshan Malinga, since first-choice fast bowlers Matheesha Pathirana and Dilshan Madushanka are both injured. Given the circumstances in Colombo, skipper Charith Asalanka may also opt for youthful left-arm spinner Dunith Wellalage over Chamika Karunaratne.
Head-to-Head:
Both teams have played 168 ODI matches against each other, with India winning 99 and Sri Lanka winning 57. 11 matches also concluded without a result, while one match was tied.
Where to watch:
OTT: SonyLIV
