Sri Lanka vs India Match Preview, 1st ODI

Sri Lanka will look to bounce back from the whitewash in the T20I series as they face a strong Indian side in the first ODI in the three-match series at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Friday, August 2.

Sri Lanka had a dreadful ODI World Cup campaign last year in India as they finished ninth in the table with just two wins and seven losses from nine games. Their two wins came against the Netherlands, who finished last in the marquee event, and England, who were in the middle of a dismal campaign.

In 2024, the Lankan Lions have played eight ODIs, two against Zimbabwe, and three each Afghanistan, and Bangladesh. They defeated Zimbabwe 2-0 before whitewashing Afghanistan 3-0. However, Bangladesh got the better of Sri Lanka by a 2-1 margin ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024. Sri Lanka have a monumental task against an Indian team which is almost at full strength. Under new captain Charith Asalanka, the Sri Lankan players will have to punch above their weights to get the better of the Men in Blue.

Also Read: Sri Lanka vs India 2024: India head coach Gautam Gambhir lauds players in his speech after series win

Meanwhile, India haven't played any ODI cricket so far in 2024. Last year, they won the Asia Cup and finished runners-up at the World Cup. They went on to win a three-match ODI series in South Africa against the Proteas in December by a 2-1 margin. This year, the Indian team has been busy with T20I assignments. In June, they won the T20 World Cup comprehensively and since then, they have won seven out of the eight T20Is they have played.

New head coach Gautam Gambhir had a memorable start as India defeated Sri Lanka 3-0 in the three-match T20I series last month. The former India cricketer will look to work closely with captain Rohit Sharma and help the team prepare for next year's Champions Trophy.

R Premadasa Stadium Pitch Report

150 ODIs have been played so far at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. The average first innings score is 225. Sri Lanka won't have happy memories from their last meeting with India at this venue as they were bundled out for 50 in the Asia Cup final last year. This was incidentally the lowest score on this ground. Meanwhile, India registered the highest total at the R Premadasa Stadium when they amassed 375/5 against Sri Lanka in 2017. Spinners are expected to play a major role in this clash, especially in the second innings. Both teams have some world-class spinners in their lineups and it should be fascinating to see which group comes up trumps on the day.

Match Details:

Head-To-Head Records

SL vs IND Probable Playing XIs

Sri Lanka:

Sri Lanka have been plagued with injuries to their fast bowlers. The long injury list includes Dushmantha Chameera, Binura Fernando, Matheesha Pathirana, Nuwan Thushara, and Dilshan Madushanka. The pace bowling department has been severely dented by these injuries. Asitha Fernando, who has just played seven ODIs, is the most experienced pacer in the side. The uncapped seamer Mohamed Shiraz has been added to the side. Another pacer is expected to be added late on Thursday.

Predicted XI

Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (WK), Avishka Fernando, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka (C), Janith Liyanage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Asitha Fernando

Also Read: SL vs IND: Matheesha Pathirana, Dilshan Madushanka ruled out of ODI series

India:

Stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will be playing their first ODI encounter since the 2023 World Cup final. Riyan Parag, who impressed during the T20I series with the bat and ball, could make his ODI debut. Rishabh Pant might have to wait for his opportunity and KL Rahul is expected to don the wicketkeeping gloves. Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj, and Khaleel Ahmed could play together, with Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav spearheading the spin-bowling deparment.

Predicted XI

Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (WK), Riyan Parag, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj, Khaleel Ahmed.