Follow UsIn their first ODI of the year, and their first ODI in 230 days, India have been asked to bowl first by Sri Lanka at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
Sri Lanka skipper Charith Asalanka called it right at the toss and had no hesitation in opting to bat first on what he reckoned was a wicket that would become slow as the game progresses.
“We are going to bat first. It looks like a dry pitch and that's the reason. We are going with a 6-5 combination,” Asalanka said at the toss.
The Sri Lanka skipper further confirmed that fast bowler Mohamed Shiraz would be making his international debut. The 29-year-old seamer is coming on the back of a six-wicket haul in the last List A game he played, just four days ago.
India, meanwhile, have opted to bring Shivam Dube into the starting XI. Shreyas Iyer retains his spot at No.4, while KL Rahul has been preferred as the first-choice wicket-keeper. Rishabh Pant has not been considered.
Washington Sundar also gets a start, and he will be a part of a three-pronged spin attack featuring himself, Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav. Arshdeep Singh and Mohammed Siraj are the only specialist seamers in India’s XI.
Starting XIs
India: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj
Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis (wk), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka (c), Janith Liyanage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Akila Dananjaya, Asitha Fernando, Mohamed Shiraz
What about the pitch?
Here’s what Scott Styris had to say during the pitch report: “Very little grass covering. It may turn. And it could be a little tacky. I expect there to be some runs and batting to be easier under lights.”
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