India's Predicted XI vs Sri Lanka, 1st ODI: Two Big Selection Decisions Await Rohit Sharma

02.08.2024 - 07:11 sports.ndtv.com

Ahead of India's first ODI against Sri Lanka, skipper Rohit Sharma said that it is hard to choose between KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant for the wicketkeeper-batter slot, calling both of them match-winners and saying that it is nice to have such selection "problems" while picking up a team.

India's first ODI against Sri Lanka will start on Friday at Colombo. This comes after Men in Blue's 3-0 clean sweep win in the T20I series.

It isn't just the Rahul vs Pant call that Rohit has to take for the wicket-keeper's spot but also a Shivam Dube vs Riyan Parag decision that the India skipper would be contemplating on ahead of the series opener.

Speaking ahead of the game in the pre-match press conference, Rohit said, "I will need to discuss with the head coach. You will see it tomorrow when we play the game." However, Rohit was pleased with this problem of plenty, wherein two talented players could pip each other out for a specialist role based on their performances. "It is a tough call.

cricket Sri Lanka Cricket Team India Cricket Team Rohit Sharma Riyan Parag Shivam Dube Rishabh Pant Kl Rahul South Africa India Sri Lanka

India ODI captain Rohit Sharma has leaped up to second spot in the ODI men's batting rankings, trailing only Pakistan captain Babar Azam now. Despite India losing the ODI series against Sri Lanka 2-0, Rohit was the highest run-scorer, scoring 157 runs at a strike rate of 141.44, including two fifties. After Babar, Indian batters occupy the next three spots, with Rohit Sharma in second, Shubman Gill in third and Virat Kohli in fourth. The three are separated by just 19 rating points.

"We Have To Do That": Rohit Sharma Ready To Pick 'Different Players' For ODIs After Sri Lanka Shock

India may adopt a 'horses-for-courses' policy after failing to counter the spin-friendly conditions here which led to their first series defeat to Sri Lanka in ODI cricket in 27 years. A spirited Sri Lanka used conditions to their advantage as their spinners bamboozled the Indian batters on slow and turning pitches to register a 2-0 win in the three-ODI series following a 110-run loss in the final game.

"It Is A Joke": Rohit Sharma's Brutally Honest Verdict On Series Loss Against Sri Lanka

India slumped to an ODI series loss on Sri Lankan soil for the first time in 27 years after Rohit Sharma-led side lost the third ODI by 110 runs against Sri Lanka on Wednesday. Chasing a target of 249, India were completely outplayed as they were bundled out for just 138 on a pitch that assisted the spinners. India ended up losing the three-match series 2-0 and it was a big setback for head coach Gautam Gambhir who did not fare well in his first assignment. Following the match, Rohit said that the result is not a big concern for the side and even if the team lost the series, it was not the "end of the world".

First Time In 27 Years: India Suffer Disappointing Low With ODI Series Loss vs Sri Lanka

The shockingly clueless Indian batting unit was strangled by crafty Sri Lankan spinners, led by five-wicket man Dunith Wellalage, as Rohit Sharma's men crashed to an embarrassing 110-run defeat in the third and final ODI in Colombo on Wednesday. Sri Lanka won the three-match series 2-0 after the first match ended in a tie, and this is the Islanders' first bilateral ODI series victory over India since 1997. Chasing a competitive 249 on a sharp turner at Premadasa, India were bowled out for a woeful 138 in 26.1 overs, and the new head coach Gautam Gambhir will have a few hard points to ponder early into his stint.

Fernando, Wellalage guide Sri Lanka to rare ODI series win over India

Avishka Fernando scored a superb 96 and Dunith Wellalage took five wickets as Sri Lanka thumped India by 110 runs in Colombo on Wednesday to seal a first bilateral one-day international series win over their south Asian neighbours in 27 years.

India vs Sri Lanka Live Streaming 3rd ODI Live Telecast: When And Where To Watch Match Live

India vs Sri Lanka Live Streaming 3rd ODI: India are all set for redemption when they take on Sri Lanka in the third ODI of the three-match series on Wednesday in Colombo. After the match ended in a tie, India faced a shocking defeat in the 2nd ODI and trail 0-1 in the series. On the verge of facing a shocking series defeat. Rohit Sharma and co will definitely aim for a change in strategy before they take field in the third game. Earlier on Sunday, Jeffrey Vandersay picked six wickets as Sri Lanka defeated India by 32 runs in the second ODI.