India will take on Sri Lanka in the first ODI of the three-match bilateral series at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Friday, August 2. The men in blue come into this series on the back of a 3-0 whitewash they treated the hosts to in the T20I series preceding the one-dayers. This will also give them much confidence to beat the hosts in the latter format.
India’s regular skipper, Rohit Sharma, will lead the team in this series. Seeing how he fares against a rather depleted Lankan attack will be exciting. Sharma has enjoyed batting in and against Sri Lanka. The others on the side will also feel they should contribute well and help their team put up a big total on the board.
The Lankans know that they must be on their feet at all times to protect themselves from the assault of the Indians. It will not be easy for them to prevent that from happening, given the latter’s quality in their ranks. Having already been beaten by India in the T20I series preceding this series, the Lankans will play for pride more than anything else.
Predicted Squads
SL: Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis (wk), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka (c), Kamindu Mendis, Janith Liyanage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana, Dilshan Madushanka.
IND: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Washington Sundar, Rishabh Pant (wk), Axar Patel, Khaleel Ahmed, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh.
Key Players
Avishka Fernando (SL): Opener Avishka Fernando is one of the players to fear in this Lankan lineup. It will be exciting to see how he tackles the bowlers of the men in blue, who will be out there to get his wicket as soon as possible. He will have to bat for long periods.
Virat Kohli (IND): Virat Kohli, who will be a part of the ODI squad in this series against Sri Lanka, hopes to continue his run-making and merry-making against this country. He has been a prolific scorer against the Lankans and will hope to continue that.
Match Prediction
India are the downright favourites to win this game, and we expect them to do so comfortably. They have a massive upper hand over their opponents, given they have already won the T20I series by a 3-0 scoreline and hope to repeat the same in this one.
India vs Sri Lanka 2nd ODI – 04.08.2024 Prediction
India will play Sri Lanka in the second ODI of the three-match bilateral series on Sunday, August 4, at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Both teams will hope to give their best and challenge each other to put up performances that the crowds will be pleased to watch.
The pitch at the R Premadasa Stadium is known to assist both pace and turn, and it will be exciting to see how the two teams conquer their challenges. It is also one of the few grounds in the island nation to have floodlights, which is why most day-night games are allotted.
Sri Lanka have plenty of good spinners in their team who will love to challenge the Indian batters and force them to play from the crease. If the Indians maintain their lines and lengths while bowling, they may have an advantage. However, the batters from both teams will have to be on their toes.
Predicted Squads
SL: Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis (wk), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka (c), Kamindu Mendis, Janith Liyanage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana, Dilshan Madushanka.
IND: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Washington Sundar, Rishabh Pant (wk), Axar Patel, Khaleel Ahmed, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh.
Key Players
Kusal Mendis (SL): Opener-wicketkeeper Kusal Mendis is one of the few players in the Lankan lineup who has a taste of a higher grade of cricket and can be trusted to adjust according to the situation. His wide range of shots makes him a batter to watch out for whenever he plays.
Rohit Sharma (IND): India captain Rohit Sharma, who has been called back into the squad for this ODI series, will hope to put up a good showing with the bat in hand and beat the Lankan bowlers into submission. He has an excellent record against and in Sri Lanka.
Match Prediction
There is no doubt that India is the favourites to win this game despite them playing away from home and in alien conditions. Sri Lanka just do not have the sort of players who can compete with India on a level footing and challenge or beat them into submission.
