Sri Lanka will take on India in the first ODI in three match series today at the R Premadasa International Cricket Stadium today.
Sri Lanka had a early set back as thier fast bowling duo Dilshan Madushanka and Matheesha Pathirana have been ruled out of the India ODI series starting on 02 August. Sri Lanka are now further hampered, having already lost Dushmantha Chameera and Nuwan Thushara to injuries before the start of the T20I series. Uncapped fast bowlers Mohamed Shiraz and Eshan Malinga have been drafted into the ODI squad as replacements. Three players in Kusal Janith Perera, Pramod Madushan and Jeffrey Vandersay have been added to the Sri Lanka ODI squad as standbys.
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.
India’s ODI setup, largely intact from one of their best World Cup campaigns in 2023, now awaits the touch of new head coach Gautam Gambhir. In the eight months since that tournament, India have played only three ODIs, all under the captaincy of KL Rahul. Yet, the return of Rohit promises more than just familiar faces. Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, and Ravindra Jadeja have been rested for the upcoming series, while Mohammed Shami is still on his way back to full fitness. Their absence creates an opportunity for the backups to get gametime in some crucial roles.
While India might be aiming for another cleansweep, their opponents, Sri Lanka, battered by recent defeats and a string of injuries – six frontline fast bowlers down – will be equally eager, if not desperate, to notch a win. Despite lacking the urgency unlike India to prepare for the 2025 Champions Trophy, Sri Lanka’s determination to break their losing streak adds an additional layer of intrigue to the series. And who knows, maybe more flag-waving gentlemen will have reasons to celebrate on Friday night.
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