Except for the players, the support staff, the cameramen, and the organisers, everyone who could afford the luxury of taking shade opted for it on Thursday (August 1) afternoon at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. The relentless tropical sun seemed to serve as a prelude to the equally intense cricketing action that is about to unfold. Yet, two enthusiastic gentlemen in the square stands remained unfazed, industriously waving the Indian flag as the team practised, possibly foreshadowing the dawn of a new era in Indian cricket. Or perhaps, their flag-waving fervor was simply a testament to their undying love for cricket and their national colors.
Even before the euphoria of emerging victorious at the T20 World Cup had a chance to taper off, Rohit Sharma and his men are gearing up to embark on another global conquest. This time, in a format that India has not engaged with significantly in over half of 2024. The Champions Trophy looms large on the horizon, and the clock is ticking with merely six scheduled games to find the sublime rhythm essential for triumph in international cricket. In light of this pressing context, the Indian captain has underscored that the upcoming ODI series against Sri Lanka in Colombo will not be a casual ‘practice ground’. International cricket demands reverence and gravitas, he emphasized, even when a few experiments are integral to the strategy.
India’s ODI setup, largely a continuation of the robust combination that yielded one of their best World Cup campaigns in 2023, now readies itself for the guidance of new head coach Gautam Gambhir. The interim period of eight months since the last World Cup, which saw India playing only three ODIs under KL Rahul’s leadership, injects an aura of anticipation and intrigue. The return of Rohit Sharma promises much more than just continuity; it heralds strategic adjustments and renewed vigor. Notably absent from the squad for this series are Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, and Ravindra Jadeja, who have been rested, while Mohammed Shami is on the path to regaining full fitness. Their void will provide the backups a golden opportunity to exhibit their prowess and cement their roles in pivotal positions.
The wicketkeeper’s conundrum remains one of the most riveting aspects of India’s lineup as they seek to strike a balance. KL Rahul’s laudable performance in Rishabh Pant’s absence over the past months raises the question of whether there’s still room for Pant in the playing XI, especially since he hasn’t featured in the 50-over format for almost two years. His primary advantage is the notable absence of any other left-hander in the top six of a full-strength lineup. Rohit Sharma remains tight-lipped about who will don the gloves as India’s No. 1 wicketkeeper, but the selection dilemma is one the captain seems content to deliberate over carefully.
Turning to their opponents, Sri Lanka is a team in dire need of redemption. Reeling from recent defeats and a spate of injuries to pivotal fast bowlers—the tally now standing at six—the Sri Lankan squad will be desperate to turn their fortunes around. Though they do not share the urgency of readying for the 2025 Champions Trophy as acutely as India, Sri Lanka’s determination to snap their losing streak fuels an additional layer of excitement and unpredictability to the series. And perhaps, more flag-waving enthusiasts will have ample cause for celebration come Friday night.
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The series initiates on Friday, August 2, 2024, at 2:30 PM (Local Time) at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. The volatile weather forecast, with scattered showers expected, poses a threat of rain-interrupted play, a scenario already seen in the ongoing India tour of Sri Lanka. Should the weather permit, a reasonably low-scoring affair is anticipated. History suggests that first innings scores at this venue average around 225, though successful teams batting first have managed an elevated average score of 270.
Examining the squad news, Sri Lanka’s predicaments persist with the additional blow of losing fast bowlers Dilshan Madushanka to a Grade 2 left hamstring injury and Matheesha Pathirana to a shoulder injury. Uncapped pacers Mohamed Shiraz and Eshan Malinga have been roped in, a day ahead of the first ODI. The probable Sri Lankan XI includes Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Janith Liyanage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Dunith Wellalage, Mahesh Theekshana, and Asitha Fernando.
For India, the return of Rishabh Pant to the ODI side after nearly a two-year hiatus is highly anticipated. It remains to be seen if he will promptly replace KL Rahul or bide his time. The Indian camp may also explore debuting uncapped pacer Harshit Rana, who offers lower-order batting capabilities. Thus, the probable Indian XI lists as Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul/Rishabh Pant, Shivam Dube/Riyan Parag, Axar Patel, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, and Khaleel Ahmed/Arshdeep Singh.
Remarkably, in 10 innings at Colombo, Virat Kohli has amassed 644 runs averaging 107.33, inclusive of four centuries. Intriguingly, Sadeera Samarawickrama, facing Mohammed Siraj in ODIs, is yet to open his runs account against the Indian pacer and has been dismissed twice. Additionally, India has not played an ODI match in 2024 so far.
In the build-up to the series, India captain Rohit Sharma reiterated the seriousness of the competition, stating, “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. Representing the nation demands we maintain the same quality cricket we have played over the years.”
Sri Lanka’s head coach, Sanath Jayasuriya, acknowledged the pressure and the responsibility to bounce back, stating, “There is no excuse for us; winning is the ultimate. It’s disappointing, but we have to take the criticism and the responsibility—we can’t shy away from that. We’ll keep giving the team the confidence and support they need.”
As both teams brace for the challenges ahead, the series promises a captivating contest that goes beyond mere preparation, reflecting the earnestness and aspirations of two cricketing nations.