Colombo, Aug 2: Hosts Sri Lanka won the toss and opted to bat first against India in the first ODI at the R Premadasa Stadium, here on Friday.
India included pace bowling all-rounder Shivam Dube ahead of Riyan Parag in their playing XI. India also roped in their ODI World Cup 2023 consistent performers K L Rahul and Shreyas Iyer.
India playing KL Rahul as a wicket-keeper batsman suggests both Rahul and Rishabh Pant would get their due chances under Head Coach Gautam Gambhir's watchful eyes.
Charith Asalanka led Sri Lanka, included Mohammed Shiraz in their playing XI. Interestingly, his name has a similarity with Team India's pace sensation Mohammed Siraz.
The only difference with their names are the Lankan debutant is 'Shiraz', while Indian pacer is 'Siraz'.
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have not played a single ODI after ODI World Cup 2023 Final on November 19, 2023 in Ahmedabad against Australia. This will be their first ODI after a long gap.
As per statistics, Sri Lanka last defeated India in an ODI game way back in 1997. India's batting mainstay Kohli averages 100 at R Premadasa Stadium, where all the three ODIs would be played.
Hosts Sri Lanka lost all the three matches of the recent T20I series against India in Pallikele. Besides, Lanka would be without some of their key players in the three ODIs due to injury.
Squads:
Sri Lanka XI: Charith Asalanka (Captain), Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis (wicket-keeper), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Janith Liyanage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Akila Dananjaya, Asitha Fernando and Mohamed Shiraz.
India XI: Rohit Sharma (Captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wicket-keeper), Washington Sundar, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh and Mohammed Siraj.
