India vs Sri Lanka, 1st ODI: Rohit Sharma faces wholesome headache as India start highway to residence World Cup

India vs Sri Lanka, 1st ODI: India will look to return to profitable methods in ODIs after having misplaced collection to New Zealand and Bangladesh away from residence. India have to handle what captain Rohit Sharma calls a ‘wholesome’ choice headache as they put together to determine a core workforce for the World Cup later this yr.

New Delhi,UPDATED: Jan 9, 2023 19:49 IST

Rohit Sharma faces ‘wholesome’ choice headache forward of ODI collection vs Sri Lanka (PTI Photo)

By Akshay Ramesh: India will start their highway to the much-anticipated 2023 World Cup within the upcoming 3-match collection in opposition to acquainted foes, Sri Lanka. Captain Rohit Sharma shall be in focus once more as he’ll lead the aspect within the collection, beginning on the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati on Tuesday, January 10.

India will look to snap their dropping streak in ODIs after having misplaced to New Zealand and Bangladesh on the highway after the T20 World Cup in 2022. However, the Asian giants have an envious document at residence, having not misplaced an ODI collection at residence since March 2019. Since the 2019 World Cup, India have gained 11 out of 15 matches at residence, which incorporates 5 successive collection victories.

India will start as overwhelming favourites to win the ODI collection in opposition to Sri Lanka even because the islanders gave the hosts a run for his or her cash within the recently-concluded T20I collection. The return of captain Rohit, former captain Virat Kohli, pacer Mohammed Shami and wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul will solely strengthen the aspect.

Sri Lanka should punch above their weight on their first ODI collection in India since December 2017 and the absence of categorical pacer Dushamnatha Chameera is a giant setback for the guests, who will look handy alternatives to younger quicks who’ve impressed within the shortest format of the sport.

For India, it’s a downside of loads, which captain Rohit Sharma mentioned is a ‘good headache’ to have as they start figuring out a core group for the 2023 World Cup.

Left-handed opener Ishan Kishan is all set to heat the benches after having hit a double hundred in his final ODI look, which was additionally the third ODI of the 3-match collection in Bangladesh which India misplaced 2-1. Rohit Sharma, chatting with the press on the eve of the primary ODI in Guwahati, confirmed Shubman Gill will get the chance forward of Ishan in ODIs and a constant run too.

Gil play 12 ODIs for India in 2022 and scored 638 runs, together with 100 and 4 fifties, at a mean of 70.

SURYAKUMAR TO WAIT FOR HIS CHANCE?

On the opposite hand, India is perhaps tempted to offer Suryakumar Yadav one other run in ODIs within the World Cup yr. However, it is unlikely to return at the price of changing Shreyas Iyer or KL Rahul, who is ready to maintain wickets within the 50-over format of the sport. Unlike T20Is, Suryakumar has struggled for consistency in ODIs, scoring 384 runs in 16 matches thus far in his profession.

Captain Rohit made it clear that India wouldn’t make the error of evaluating totally different codecs whereas highlighting that the workforce won’t flip a blind eye to kind. Suryakumar is heading into the ODI collection on the again of a surprising T20I hundred within the decider in Rajkot on Saturday.

“I do understand the form as well. Form is important but the format is also important. The 50-over format is a different format, slightly longer than the T20 format, and the guys who have performed in ODIs will definitely get a run. We are very clear in what we want to do,” Rohit added.

3 PACERS OR 2?

Jasprit Bumrah getting dominated out means Mohammed Siraj and Mohammed Shami will reunite to guide the tempo assault, which additionally has Umran Malik and Arshdeep Singh. India may as nicely play an additional spinner as they’ve Hardik Pandya accessible for ODIs for the primary time because the tour of England final yr.

Axar Patel and Washington Sundar are helpful spin-bowling all-rounders whereas there may also be a toss-up between the 2 wrist-spinners in Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal.

On the opposite hand, Sri Lanka will discipline an analogous XI that performed a T20I collection. Captain Dasun Shanaka, who has struggled to search out his footing within the ODI format, shall be eager on making good use of his kind and main the workforce from the entrance. The workforce would need higher displaying from the middle-order whereas openers Kusal Mendis and Pathum Nissanka shall be essential to their probabilities.

Sri Lanka may also hope Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana could make an impression within the ODIs too.

PITCH AND CONDITIONS: 1st ODI

The Barsapara Cricket Stadium has thus far hosted just one ODI – October 2018 in opposition to West Indies. It was a high-scoring affair with India chasing down a 323-run goal in simply 42.1 overs. Both Rohit Sharma (152) and Virat Kohli (140) scored tons of within the ODI. One can anticipate a great batting pitch for the collection opener, which shall be a day-night affair in Guwahati.

Published On:

Jan 9, 2023