IND vs SL: Rohit Sharma welcomes challenging bowling conditions in 1st ODI

Following another bilateral T20I series triumph against Sri Lanka, India welcomed the visitors at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati for the first ODI of the three-match series. Rohit Sharma's men were put to bat first in the match after Sri Lanka won the toss. The Indian skipper admitted that his bowlers will have to adapt to the challenge of bowling with the wet ball, especially with the World Cup to be hosted in the subcontinent later this year.

The Indian team, led by the returning Rohit Sharma, started their batting innings in the first ODI as they finished in the T20I series decider. Following a tremendous opening stand between Shubman Gill and the skipper himself, Virat Kohli's second successive century in ODI cricket propelled India to a daunting total of 373 runs in their 50 overs. However, the Indian skipper would've opted to bowl first in the match if he had won the toss. But he welcomed the challenge of bowling second at a venue that gets a considerable amount of dew under the lights.

"We are happy to bat first. We would have liked to bowl as well, it's a good challenge. The ground was flooded with dew yesterday. There will be times where we need to bowl under dew, we got to be ready for that with the World Cup around the corner. It's about doing the basics right, it's important to do things differently at times. We need to keep moving in the right direction. Had a great time playing an ODI here last time, hope we'll have another memorable game today," said Sharma after the toss.

Rohit Sharma opened the innings along with the young Shubman Gill and looked in imperious touch. The flamboyant Indian opener endured a poor 2022 but started the new year with a brisk half-century. He looked well on course for his 30th century in ODIs, but a loose shot meant he had to be content with 83 off just 67 deliveries to his name.

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