With the ultimate goal being the 2023 ODI World Cup, India will begin their preparation against familiar opponents Sri Lanka at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati on Tuesday. The home team had clinched the T20I series by 2-1 and they will welcome back big superstars like Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, and Virat Kohli in the ODI set-up.
The hosts will want to kick off their World Cup preparation on a high and come with a collective show. In fact, many cricket boffins reckon that ODI cricket has somewhat lost its meaning and it will be a chance for these two teams to put some life back into the format.
On the other hand, it will be a good opportunity for Sri Lanka to play in the Indian conditions and get acclimatized to the situation. Both of these teams played in the 2011 World Cup final and since then both of them have gone through huge transitions.
Dasun Shanaka was able to lead from the front in the T20I series and he would aim to once again do the same in the ODI series. Shanaka had also confirmed that he is all set to bowl against the home team in the ODIs.
Meanwhile, Jasprit Bumrah will not play in the ODI series. Thus, the onus will be on Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, and Umran Malik.
Match Prediction: With experience on their side, India will begin as favorites against Sri Lanka.
India’s ODI squad: Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Ishan Kishan (wk), Hardik Pandya (VC), Washington Sundar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Mohd. Shami, Mohd. Siraj, Umran Malik, Arshdeep Singh.
Sri Lanka ODI Squad: Dasun Shanaka (Captain), Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Kusal Mendis (Vice Captain), Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Wanindu Hasaranga, Ashen Bandara, Maheesh Theekshana, Chamika Karunaratne, Dilshan Madushanka, Kasun Rajitha, Nuwanidu Fernando, Dunith Wellalage, Pramod Madushan, Lahiru Kumara.
