With simply 9 months left for the 50-over World Cup at residence, the true countdown begins for India now with a three-match ODI sequence in opposition to Sri Lanka, beginning on the Barsapara Cricket Stadium right here on Tuesday.
India will host three nations, additionally together with New Zealand and Australia, enjoying a three-match sequence with every of them, at 9 totally different venues within the pre-Indian Premier League (IPL) section.
Whereas the workload will likely be carefully monitored, one is for certain to witness varied experiments on this section earlier than a extra settled unit fine-tunes itself within the ultimate section.
Whilst captaincy adjustments arms with the swap in format, the house staff will likely be impressed due to its latest sequence victory, backed by some high quality performances, over the islanders within the shortest model.
India’s higher head-to-head file and win within the 2021 sequence in Colombo will delight the host.
The comeback of two batting aces – captain Rohit Sharma (who injured his hand within the sequence in opposition to Bangladesh final month) and Virat Kohli – will likely be an enormous morale booster.
On the high, Shubman Gill will pip the quickest double centurion wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan due to his consistency.
With the flexibleness of Okay.L. Rahul donning the large gloves, Suryakumar Yadav might not discover a place regardless of his dazzling T20 kind. All-rounder vice-captain Hardik Pandya will present the essential stability.
Premier pacer Jasprit Bumrah’s identify within the squad triggered anticipation earlier than the cricket board pulled him out on Monday as a precautionary measure. Bumrah, who final performed in September, has been recovering from a again damage.
However, the return of speedster Mohammad Shami, who had been out with a shoulder concern since November, is encouraging. Mohammmad Siraj, Umran Malik and Arshdeep Singh together with Pandya provide decisions in tempo bowling.
India’s spin division is numerous with the presence of all-rounders Axar Patel and Washington Sundar and wrist spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal.
Sri Lanka, led by all-rounder Dasun Shanaka, will sit up for beginning afresh and gathering worthwhile expertise for the upcoming World Cup.
Other than Dasun, main run-scorers Pathum Nissanka and Charith Asalanka will likely be amongst its key batters.
Pacemen Dilshan Madushanka, Kasun Rajitha and Lahiru Kumara and spinners Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana and Jeffrey Vandersay will likely be eager to style success in opposition to the Indians.
Dew issue and the potential of a high-scoring match in ODI cricket’s return to Barsapara after 2018 will influence the groups’ mixtures.
The groups (from):
India: Rohit Sharma (captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Ishan Kishan (wk), Hardik Pandya (vice-captain), Washington Sundar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Mohd. Shami, Mohd. Siraj, Umran Malik, Arshdeep Singh.
Sri Lanka: Dasun Shanaka (captain), Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Kusal Mendis (vice-captain), Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Wanindu Hasaranga, Ashen Bandara, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Chamika Karunaratne, Dilshan Madushanka, Kasun Rajitha, Nuwanidu Fernando, Dunith Wellalage, Pramod Madushan, Lahiru Kumara.
Match begins at 1:30 pm
