Sri Lanka announce squad for ODIs versus India, Charith Asalanka named as captain

The Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) selection committee announced a 16-member squad for the upcoming ODI series against India in Colombo. The Lankan Lions will play three matches at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on August 2, 4, and 7.

The biggest talking point that came up from Sri Lanka's squad announcement was Charith Asalanka's appointment as the new ODI captain. He has replaced Kusal Mendis, who was named as the ODI captain in December last year. Under the wicketkeeper-batter's captaincy, Sri Lanka lost their most recent ODI series against Bangladesh in March. Asalanka, who recently replaced Wanindu Hasaranga as the T20I skipper, will now be leading Sri Lanka in white-ball cricket.

Also Read: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli denied net session in Colombo following heavy rains

In a media release, SLC stated that the Honorable Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs, Harin Fernando, approved the squad. From the T20I squad which is playing a three-match T20I series against India, Ramesh Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Dasun Shanaka, Kusal Perera, and Chamindu Wickramasinghe have not made it to the ODI side. Meanwhile, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Chamika Karunaratne, Janith Liyanage, Nishan Madushka, and Akila Dananjaya have been included for the 50-over matches.

Sri Lanka's squad for ODI series versus India: Charith Asalanka (C), Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Kamindu Mendis, Janith Liyanage, Nishan Madushka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Akila Dananjaya, Dilshan Madushanka, Matheesha Pathirana, Asitha Fernando.

What did the two captains say at the toss?

Asalanka, who was announced as the new ODI captain for Sri Lanka earlier in the day, reckoned that the pitch is on the dryer side, where batting will not be easy once the ball gets old.

"We are going to bowl first. Looks like a dry pitch. There was a batting collapse, when the ball gets older its a bit harder to bat. We have planned a little bit differently. One change, Wickramasinghe comes in for Shanaka," Asalanka said at the toss.

Meanwhile, Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav admitted that he would have liked to have bowled first because of the rain threat. The Mumbai batter asserted that his players want to give their best performances in every match.

"Would've liked to chase as well with the weather around. Becomes difficult for the bowling team to control the ball later. We have 4 guys resting - Hardik, Axar, Rishabh and Arshdeep. We spoke about the brand of cricket we want to play and it's about topping it up every game and being the best version of ourselves," Suryakumar said.

Meanwhile, Asalanka hasn't had the best of starts to his international captaincy career. Under his leadership, Sri Lanka lost the first two T20Is against India and are staring at a whitewash. The third and final T20I takes place at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Pallekele on Tuesday, July 30. Sri Lanka will want to finish the series with a win to boost their morale ahead of the ODIs. The hosts will be in for a tough challenge in the ODI series as India have assembled a formidable side comprising stalwarts like captain Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.