SL vs IND 2024, SL vs IND 1st ODI Match Preview

Large image: SL hit by accidents and sickness

Sri Lanka simply cannot catch a break. Whereas nonetheless reeling from the just about comical nature of the defeat within the remaining T20I, one which handed India a 3-0 collection sweep – and probably a large number of nervous breakdowns to these watching, their preparations for the ODI leg have been hampered considerably by the harm or illness-related absence of at least 5 of their quick bowlers.

This has meant that the uncapped Mohamed Shiraz and Eshan Malinga have been known as as much as hopefully – protecting all fingers and toes crossed right here – present assist for the one different match seamer within the squad in Asitha Fernando, and the all-round stylings of Chamika Karunaratne.

The one silver lining in all that is that it would, nevertheless briefly, take their minds off the final two occasions these sides met in a 50-over contest, the place Sri Lanka collectively scored 105 runs. In actual fact, throughout their final 4 ODI conferences, Sri Lanka have failed to achieve triple digits on three events.

That mentioned, their greatest plan of action may be to not put an excessive amount of inventory within the outcomes of those upcoming video games. Their subsequent main ODI event is the World Cup in 2027 – they didn’t make it to the 2025 Champions Trophy – so specializing in the method and trying to put in place the fitting foundations often is the proper play in the meanwhile.

When it comes to current kind, Sri Lanka have had success in ODIs this 12 months in opposition to Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Zimbabwe, however their final ODI win in opposition to India was again in July 2021. That consequence had introduced an finish to a five-match dropping streak in opposition to India – in reality, every of Sri Lanka’s final three ODI victories in opposition to India have are available in service of disrupting five-game dropping streaks. So in case you are searching for a straw to clutch onto, Sri Lanka’s present dropping streak to India in ODIs stands at six. One thing’s absolutely gotta give, proper?

So far as India go, that is simply the following step in a pristinely mapped-out path to the Champions Trophy. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are again within the fold, with the group’s main concentrate on ironing out kinks and settling into a pleasant group mixture. You additionally think about they are going to be quietly hoping for a sterner problem than what was on provide within the T20Is.

Type information

Sri Lanka LWLWW (final 5 ODIs, most up-to-date first)India WLWLW

Within the highlight: Pathum Nissanka and Kuldeep Yadav

It is clear that Sri Lanka are nonetheless struggling to rectify their longstanding middle- and lower-order struggles; a lot of their current success has been borne out of top-order contributions. The first supply of this has been Pathum Nissanka. His 497 runs throughout six ODIs is comfortably essentially the most by any batter on the planet this 12 months. Not simply that, his strike charge of 122.41 can be the perfect amongst these with a minimum of 200 runs. Sri Lanka will want Nissanka on the prime of his sport if they’re to problem this well-rounded Indian outfit.

Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir share a lightweight second throughout coaching•Ishara S Kodikara/AFP through Getty Photos

With the motion transferring from Kandy to Colombo, the steadiness between bat and ball must also shift. The Khettarama has historically been one the place scores of 300 or extra are on the rarer facet, with spin tending to play a pivotal position. Enter Kuldeep Yadav, who performed an essential half in India’s current T20 World Cup triumph however sat out the T20Is in opposition to Sri Lanka. Whereas Ravi Bishnoi and, significantly, Riyan Parag impressed in his stead, Kuldeep shall be eager to make his mark on the tour.

Workforce information: Rohit, Kohli, Kuldeep return

Sri Lanka’s fast-bowling contingent is in disarray, however with the wicket prone to favour spin they might decide to go in with simply the 2 frontline seamers. Offered they need an additional spin choice, Dunith Wellalage may be most well-liked over Chamika Karunaratne.

Sri Lanka (possible): 1 Pathum Nissanka, 2 Kusal Mendis, 3 Sadeera Samarawickrama, 4 Kamindu Mendis, 5 Charith Asalanka (capt), 6 Janith Liyanage, 7 Dunith Wellalage/Chamika Karunaratne, 8 Wanindu Hasaranga, 9 Maheesh Theekshana, 10 Mohamed Shiraz/Eshan Malinga, 11 Asitha Fernando

India’s prime order picks itself, but it surely’s decrease down the place there could also be some experimentation. With Hardik Pandya not a part of the ODI collection, one among Shivam Dube and Parag will fill in as a batting allrounder. If Parag will get the nod, India might need the posh of taking part in three frontline seamers, that means one among Khaleel Ahmed and the uncapped Harshit Rana may get a sport.

India (possible): 1 Rohit Sharma (capt), 2 Shubman Gill, 3 Virat Kohli, 4 Shreyas Iyer, 5 Rishabh Pant/KL Rahul (wk), 6 Shivam Dube/Riyan Parag, 7 Axar Patel, 8 Kuldeep Yadav, 9 Khaleel Ahmed/Harshit Rana, 10 Arshdeep Singh, 11 Mohammed Siraj

Pitch and situations: Rain within the air

If the current Lanka Premier League is to go by, the situations for batting might need improved in Colombo in comparison with current years, however there’s nonetheless a good quantity in it for the bowlers, significantly the spinners. However getting an entire sport on Friday may be tough, with pockets of heavy rain anticipated all through the day.

Stats and trivia: India’s dominance

Solely Zimbabwe, Eire and Afghanistan amongst Full Members have a worse win-loss ratio in opposition to India over the previous ten years than Sri Lanka. In that point India and Sri Lanka have performed 24 ODIs, with Sri Lanka profitable simply three.
Kohli’s 2594 runs are the second-most by an opposition batter in opposition to Sri Lanka in ODIs. Sachin Tendulkar sits atop the checklist with 3113.
Because the begin of 2023, no batter has extra runs in ODIs than Nissanka’s 1648.

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