How many times have we seen Sri Lanka play India recently? Yes, once again, the neighbouring countries will battle it out in a hasty 5-match ODI series, which starts on 2nd November in Cuttack to accommodate West Indies’ pullout from their ongoing Indian tour.
The Lankans were involved in a feisty fitness program in order to be in shape for the next year’s World cup but they had to cancel the whole program as Sri Lanka Cricket administrators gave moral assistance to India after the Windies pulled out of their tour with 5 more matches yet to be played as a result of an internal payment dispute. The Sri Lankan players showed discomfort with the decision as they are under-prepared for this particular series and it left ambushed their much needed fitness programme of the World cup.
So Sri Lanka was hurriedly bundled out on a plane to India a few days ago. Can Sri Lanka win their 1st ever bilateral series on Indian soil? Will the reigning 50-over World champions continue to hammer the Lankans at home?
A lot will be at stake for both teams but will the Lankans be exhausted by the time the world cup arrives? This tour will be the first assignment of Marvan Atapattu after he was named the permanent head coach.
Exciting chance for the Lankan fringe players
Sri Lanka will have 19 ODIs before the start of the World Cup in 4 months. National Selection Committee chairman Sanath Jayasuriya stressed out that this tour will be benefited by the fringe players though the matches will be played on dull and slow wickets in India.
Lasith Malinga, Lahiru Thirimanne and Dinesh Chandimal were omitted with the former nursing an ankle surgery. Kusal Perera returned to the side after his injury lay-off while Lahiru Gamage who has been a consistent performer in domestic circles, finds a place in the squad. One of the key aspects the Lankans will be looking into a forming a strong opening pair with 3 openers in the squad.
Rangana Herath, the left-arm veteran has been rested. Sri Lanka has chosen a total of three spinners in the squad. Suraj Randiv is expected to lead the spin bowling attack, with either of Seekuge Prasanna or Chathuranga De Silva likely to grab the spin bowling all-rounder’s place.
The pace battery consists of the experienced but the out-of-form Nuwan Kulasekera, the promising Dhamikka Prasad and the debutant Lahiru Gamage. The fast bowling department will also be pampered by Angelo Mathews and Thisara Perera who will be playing the role of all-rounders. The Lankans will struggle with their bowling looking thin minus their match-winning bowlers – Malinga, Herath, Lakmal and Senanayake.
Sri Lanka squad for the first 3 ODIs:
Angelo Mathews (captain), Kusal Perera, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Upul Tharanga, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Ashan Priyanjan, Niroshan Dickwella, Thisara Perera, Nuwan Kulasekara, Dhammika Prasad, Lahiru Gamage, Chaturanga de Silva, Seekuge Prasanna, Suraj Randiv.
India looking to strengthen their bench
Virat Kohli will lead India in the first three ODIs, while Wriddhiman Saha will stand behind the stumps in Dhoni’s absence as the world-cup winning skipper has been given a rest.
Ravichandran Ashwin, who was given a break for the ODI series against the West Indies, returns to the fold for India but the 19-year old chinaman Kuldeep Yadav, who was not given an opportunity in the three one-dayers against the West Indies, has been left out of the 15-man squad, with the selectors keeping faith on leg-spinner Amit Mishra and left-arm spinner Akshar Patel. Rohit Sharma hammered a century in the warm-up game and he is expected to join the team in the final 2 games while the injured Mohammed Shami was replaced by Dhawal Kulkarni.
India squad for the first 3 ODIs:
Virat Kohli (captain), Shikhar Dhawan, Ajinkya Rahane, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, Wriddhiman Saha, R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhawal Kulkarni, Umesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Amit Mishra, Murali Vijay, Varun Aaron, Akshar Patel.
Tour Schedule :
Final verdict:
The Indians will win the series 3-2 as they are pretty strong in their home conditions and Sri Lanka lacks the intensity with the ball especially against the strong Indian batting, though the batsmen will score big runs. Angelo Mathews has done wonders so far, but again I may be proved wrong in 2 weeks’ time.
