NEWS
Follow UsFormer Sri Lanka all-rounder Russel Arnold backs India opener Prithvi Shaw to be the game-changer in the upcoming white-ball fixtures against Sri Lanka, starting Saturday (July 18). From the Sri Lankan camp, he picks Avishka Fernando.
India and Sri Lanka will play three One-Day Internationals (ODI) and as many T20Is. The series was supposed to kickstart on July 13, but due to a Covid-19 scare, it was pushed back.
“For Sri Lanka, I will go with Avishka Fernando at the top of the order. Let me go outside the box with India. Of course, you will be looking at Dhawan and Pandyas to perform but I’m thinking Prithvi Shaw might get a run. Helpfully he will prove me right by entertaining everyone,” Arnold said when asked about who he thought would be the game-changers, according to Hindustantimes.com.
Shaw, who bounced back to form in the Vijay Hazare Trophy after a poor Australia tour where his weakness against the incoming deliveries was exposed, is in all likelihood set to open with skipper Shikhar Dhawan. The Mumbai batsman made a few subtle changes, which helped him notch up 827 runs at 165 in India's domestic 50-over competition.
India are playing a 'second-string' side led by Dhawan as the Virat Kohli-led side is currently in England preparing for the five-match Test series. While former skipper Arjuna Ranatunga said it was an insult to the country, Arnold says he feels jealous of India's bench strength.
"I just feel jealous that India have those cricketers. Even this team, we’ve seen them play. We’ve seen the quality they bring. There is a lot of experience too in Shikhar Dhawan, the Pandyas, spinners Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav. There’s a lot of exciting prospects,” Arnold told Hindustan Times.