The Indian team will be high on confidence after whitewashing the hosts by 3-0 during the test series. Virat Kohli led side would be looking to continue their aggressive form in the first ODI match at the Rangri International Stadium, Dambulla tomorrow. With the 2019 World Cup coming up, the Indian cricket team has rested 7 players.
The Indian team has brought youngsters like Chahal, Shardul Thakur who would be looking to perform well in the ODI series. Yuvraj Singh and Suresh Raina have been dropped from the ODI series due to lack of fitness. It looks a strong team with the batting order looking settle with Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma as openers, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul would be making a comeback in the team and bat at number 4.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Kedar Jadhav, Hardik Pandya would be a strong batting line up. In the bowling department, Bumrah will be making a comeback after being rested for the series against West Indies and with him, Bhuvneshwar Kumar should do duties with the new ball. Hardik Pandya would be the third pace option. Virat Kohli has the option of choosing from Axar Patel, Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav in the playing XI. Kuldeep Yadav did well in the ODI series against West Indies while Patel and Chahal also performed brilliantly in the India A circuit.
The Sri Lankan team are struggling with their form. They lost the previous ODI series against minnows Zimbabwe by 2-3. Upul Tharanga the captain should lead by example by performing well as a batsman. Dickwella, Danushka Gunthilkha, Mathews, Kusal Mendis, Chamara Kapugedra, Siriwardna have to bat very well to put pressure on the Indian team. Lasith Malinga makes a comeback into ODI squad which will give Sri Lanka boost.
The experienced Malinga has not been in best of the form. If Sri Lanka is to restrict the strong Indian batting line up, his performance should be at his best. Thisara Perera also makes a comeback into the team and would hope to boost the Sri Lankan team.
It going to be a huge task for the Sri Lankan team to beat Indian team who are looking in great form. The hosts need to win at least 2 matches during the five match ODI series to qualify directly for World Cup 2019.
The last time both these teams met was in the Champions Trophy 2017. Sri Lanka won that match chasing 322. It promises to be an interesting series to see if Sri Lanka could give India a fight or the Men in Blue continue their winning form as they did in the test series.
