🏏India tour of Sri Lanka: 1st ODI at Colombo @ 2:30 PM IST🏏

🏏India tour of Sri Lanka: 1st ODI at Colombo (RPS) on 02/08/2024 @ 2:30 PM IST🏏

Will it be another mismatch as Sri Lanka and India switch to ODIs?

Sri Lanka have lost five fast bowlers to injuries or illness, while India will be boosted by the return of Rohit, Kohli and Kuldeep. SL hit by injuries and illness

Sri Lanka just can't catch a break. While still reeling from the almost comical nature of the defeat in the final T20I, one which handed India a 3-0 series sweep - and possibly a multitude of nervous breakdowns to those watching, their preparations for the ODI leg have been hampered significantly by the injury or illness-related absence of no less than five of their fast bowlers.

This has meant that the uncapped Mohamed Shiraz and Eshan Malinga have been called up to hopefully - keeping all fingers and toes crossed here - provide support for the only other fit seamer in the squad in Asitha Fernando, and the all-round stylings of Chamika Karunaratne.

The one silver lining in all this is that it might, however briefly, take their minds off the last two times these sides met in a 50-over contest, where Sri Lanka collectively scored 105 runs. In fact, across their last four ODI meetings, Sri Lanka have failed to reach triple digits on three occasions.

That said, their best course of action might be to not put too much stock in the results of these upcoming games. Their next major ODI tournament is the World Cup in 2027 - they did not make it to the 2025 Champions Trophy - so focusing on the process and looking to put in place the right foundations may be the right play for the time being.

In terms of recent form, Sri Lanka have had success in ODIs this year against Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Zimbabwe, but their last ODI win against India was back in July 2021. That result had brought an end to a five-match losing streak against India - in fact, each of Sri Lanka's last three ODI victories against India have come in service of disrupting five-game losing streaks. So if you are looking for a straw to clutch onto, Sri Lanka's current losing streak to India in ODIs stands at six. Something's surely gotta give, right?

As far as India go, this is just the next step in a pristinely mapped-out path to the Champions Trophy. Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are back in the fold, with the team's primary focus on ironing out kinks and settling into a nice team combination. You also imagine they will be quietly hoping for a sterner challenge than what was on offer in the T20Is.

In the spotlight: Pathum Nissanka and Kuldeep Yadav

It's clear that Sri Lanka are still struggling to rectify their longstanding middle- and lower-order struggles; much of their recent success has been borne out of top-order contributions. The primary source of this has been Pathum Nissanka. His 497 runs across six ODIs is comfortably the most by any batter in the world this year. Not just that, his strike rate of 122.41 is also the best among those with at least 200 runs. Sri Lanka will need Nissanka at the top of his game if they are to challenge this well-rounded Indian outfit.

Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir share a light moment during training

With the action moving from Kandy to Colombo, the balance between bat and ball should also shift. The Khettarama has traditionally been one where scores of 300 or more are on the rarer side, with spin tending to play a pivotal role. Enter Kuldeep Yadav, who played an important part in India's recent T20 World Cup triumph but sat out the T20Is against Sri Lanka. While Ravi Bishnoi and, particularly, Riyan Parag impressed in his stead, Kuldeep will be keen to make his mark on the tour.

Pitch and conditions: Rain in the air

If the recent Lanka Premier League is to go by, the conditions for batting might have improved in Colombo compared to recent years, but there is still a fair amount in it for the bowlers, particularly the spinners. But getting a complete game on Friday might be tricky, with pockets of heavy rain expected throughout the day.

Stats and trivia: India's dominance

• Only Zimbabwe, Ireland and Afghanistan among Full Members have a worse win-loss ratio against India over the past ten years than Sri Lanka. In that time India and Sri Lanka have played 24 ODIs, with Sri Lanka winning just three.
• Kohli's 2594 runs are the second-most by an opposition batter against Sri Lanka in ODIs. Sachin Tendulkar sits atop the list with 3113.
• Since the start of 2023, no batter has more runs in ODIs than Nissanka's 1648.

When: Friday, August 2, 2024, 2:30 PM (Local Time)

Where: Sri Lanka vs India, 1st ODI, R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo

What to expect: Scattered showers are forecast for Friday, and there is a possibility that a third game in a row in this ongoing India tour of Sri Lanka will be impacted by rain and wet outfield. If the match remains unhampered, it should be a reasonably low scoring affair. Since 2022, 13 ODIs have been played at the venue with an average first innings score of 225. However, for teams who have won batting first, their average score has shot up to 270.

Team News:

Sri Lanka: The hosts have been hit further by two more of their fast bowlers getting ruled out due to injuries, taking the total of fast bowler injuries to six. Dilshan Madushanka has suffered a Grade 2 injury to his left hamstring while Matheesha Pathirana has injured his shoulder. Uncapped fast bowlers Mohamed Shiraz and Eshan Malinga were included in the squad a day ahead of the first game.

Probable XI: Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Janith Liyanage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Dunith Wellalage, Mahesh Theekshana, Asitha Fernando

India: Rishabh Pant has returned to the ODI side after having last featured in a 50-over contest almost two years ago. The question is whether he will directly replace KL Rahul as the 'keeper of the ODI side or whether he will have to wait his turn. India could also be tempted to try out the uncapped Harshit Rana in the XI, a rare pacer who offers some batting potential lower down the order.

Probable XI: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul/Rishabh Pant, Shivam Dube/Riyan Parag, Axar Patel, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Khaleel Ahmed/Arshdeep Singh

Did you know?

In 10 innings in Colombo, Virat Kohli has scored 644 runs at an average of 107.33, including four centuries

Sadeera Samarawickrama, who is yet to score a run against Mohammed Siraj in ODIs, has been dismissed twice by the Indian pacer

India is yet to play an ODI in 2024

What they said:

"It's not a practice ground this (series), it's still an international game. We will keep in our mind what we would like to achieve as a team but this is by no means preparation or practice or anything like that. We want to come here and play good cricket and get something out of the series, it is as simple as that. Of course, we want to try everything possible but sometimes you got to understand when you're representing the nation, the quality of the cricket you want to play should remain the way it is and how we have played our cricket in the last few years. I think that is more important, more than thinking about it is preparation so 'lets go out and chill in Colombo'" - Rohit Sharma, India captain.

"There is no excuse for us to say anything, and for us to win is the ultimate thing. It's disappointing as a coach, but we have to take the criticism as well, as a coach, as a support staff, as a team. We are taking the responsibility, you cna't go away from that. As long as they realise that, and make sure that, we'll have to keep giving them the confidence and support" - Sanath Jayasauriya, Sri Lanka head coach.

Matches168
Won by Sri Lanka 57
Won by India 99
No Result 11
First played June 18, 1979
Last played November 2, 2023

SL vs IND Probable Top Performers of the Match

Probable Best Batter: Virat Kohli

Star India batter Virat Kohli could be the best batter in the upcoming game against Sri Lanka. Kohli will be playing his first ODI for India after the ODI World Cup, and with 506 runs in his last seven games, a lot will be expected from Kohli in the first ODI.

Probable Best Bowler: Mohammed Siraj

Ace India pacer Mohammed Siraj could be the best bowler in the first ODI. Siraj has performed exceptionally well against Sri Lanka in the past, and his spell could be crucial for the Men in Blue in the first ODI.