SL v IND, 1st ODI Preview: Hosts aim for a breath of fresh air as they lock horns against India

After the annihilation in Test series, Sri Lanka aim for rejuvenation against India as both sides gear for the first limited-overs clash at Dambulla. The last few weeks have been thoroughly disastrous for the Lankan lions after India’s brutal, assassinating display tottered them and it will take a great amount of courage and perseverance to put up a fight against the upbeat visitors.

Indian selection panel has confirmed that they are looking to try a lot of permutations and combinations before setting up a core side for the next World Cup. Hence, India will look to shuffle the playing XI and batting order to give an opportunity to everyone who deserves it.

Sri Lanka on the other hand, will be under immense pressure and to attract more crowds in the next few games, they will have to pull out their A game. Though they have some wonderful talents in the side, they have struggled quite badly and it’s been hard to figure out the reasons behind their poor performances. But they will have to find a way through this and ensure they’re on level terms with the visitors, which didn’t happen through out the Test series.

Toss: India won the toss and elected to field

Captains speak:

Virat Kohli: We are going to chase. It has been a while that we played on this track. The track does not have as much grass cover as it used to have. Should be a wicket to enjoy batting on. We love chasing. You have a bit of advantage winning the toss. But you have to execute your skills. I was sitting on the same chair I was sitting 9 years ago. Have some happy memories (made his debut here). The idea is to improve even after we have won games. As I said, you have to start well, be boring at times. Four guys who miss out are: Manish Pandey, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Ajinkya Rahane.

Upul Tharanga: We were going to bat first here. Looks like a good wicket. In the last series as well, the team batting first scored some good runs. I told boys to forget the Test series. People like Lasith coming is a positive. Chamara Kapugedera, Thisara Perera come in. Vishwa Fernando also comes in.

Playing XI

India: Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli(c), Lokesh Rahul, MS Dhoni(w), Kedar Jadhav, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Yuzvendra Chahal

Sri Lanka: Niroshan Dickwella(w), Danushka Gunathilaka, Kusal Mendis, Upul Tharanga(c), Angelo Mathews, Chamara Kapugedera, Wanidu Hasaranga, Thisara Perera, Lakshan Sandakan, Vishwa Fernando, Lasith Malinga

Focus will be on

Lakshan Sandakan (Sri Lanka)

The chinaman spinner Lakshan Sandakan managed to bamboozle the Indian batters in the third Test, but later was a victim of the Pandya onslaught. Yet, he has an X-Factor about him which always makes him a force to reckon with and once the batsmen lose their focus, they will fail to read him and that is where he can capitalize. Nevertheless, it won’t be easy to get a similar grip with the white ball and the Indian top order will only make his life tougher.

Hardik Pandya (India)

The ever exuberant Hardik Pandya made a statement of intent in the Test series and is all set to go roaring in the ODI series. He is slowly establishing himself as a great finisher and all he needs is time to settle in, which the management is more than willing to grant him. He also likes to take up the new ball in limited-overs cricket and has performed decently, providing ten overs to his captain almost every time.

Playing combinations

Sri Lanka

Danushka Gunathilaka and Kusal Mendis will be opening the innings for the Islanders with Niroshan Dickwella, Tharanga and Mathews taking the onus of the middle-order. Some talented all-rounders in Thisara Perera and Wanidu Hasaranga might have a big role to play, given the top order has a tendency ot collapse.

Lakshan Sandakan will be the key in the bowling unit as he will be bowling a lot of overs in the middle stages. Lasith Malinga will be the spearhead and the leader of this bowling contingent and Dushmantha Chameera, Perera and Vishwa Fernando will provide great vibrancy to the attack.

India

Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma will be back at the top after trying out Rahane in the opening slot in West Indies. Virat, as usual, will be at number three, whilst KL Rahul will be tested at number 4, as confirmed by the team management. MS Dhoni, Hardik Pandya and Kedar Jadhav’s presence makes up for a strong lower middle-order with immense fire power.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar led the bowling attack brilliantly in the Champions Trophy and in West Indies and he will be doing the same. Jasprit Bumrah and Pandya are other fast bowling options for Kohli. Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel will be the spinners who will make it to the eleven and take charge for India.

StatAttack

4 – MS Dhoni is four runs short of 9,500 runs in ODI cricket

2 – Scores of 300 plus have been achieved twice this year at Dambulla