IND vs SL 1st ODI HIGHLIGHTS: Kohli hits century, bowlers hand India 67-run win, Shanaka ton in vain

​

I don’t think there was anything different. My preparation and intent always remain the same. I thought I was hitting the ball nicely. It was close to the template I play with, I understood we needed an extra 25-30 runs. I tried to understand the conditions in the second half. Tried to get a comfortable total for us on the board. The one thing I learnt was desperation doesn’t get you anywhere. You do not need to complicate things. You go out there and play without any fear, I can’t hold on to things. You have to play for the right reasons and almost play every game like it’s your last and just be happy about it. The game is going to move on. I am not going to play forever, I am in a happy space and enjoying my time playing.

Pretty impressed actually. We started off well with the bat, it was a great effort from all batters. The platform was set for all the batters, I thought we could have bowled better. Don’t want to be too critical, as the conditions were not easy. It wasn’t easy to bowl under the lights especially when dew comes in. Everyone needs to come to the party if you want to win, but we bowled well upfront. You got to be in the game to take those half-chances. You are not going to have a perfect game always, there are certain areas to work on as a group. All eleven members need to put in an effort collectively. (About Shami’s run-out)I had no idea Shami did that, Shanka was batting on 98. The way he batted was brilliant, we cannot get him out like that. Not something that we thought of, hats off to him, he played really well.

The start their openers gave, we didn’t use the new ball well, unlike their bowlers who got it to swing. We did have a plan, but the bowlers didn’t execute the basics right. We didn’t use variations during the first 10 overs. (With the bat) I think I’m doing the basics well, I think I should bat higher in the T20Is, but the team needs me to bat at 6 with Bhanuka at 5.

Shanaka - Rajitha scored 100 runs for the 10th wicket, with Rajitha contributing 9 runs, 4 of which came via an overthrow.

Shami is to bowl the last over of the game. Shami to Shanaka and he cuts it for two runs. He whips it the next ball but could not take a run. Third ball, he cuts it to the third man but could only manage a single as Rajitha comes back to strike. Shami starts his run-up and run-outs Shanaka from the non-striker end but Rohit goes to Shami and asks him to take the appeal back. Rajitha takes a single off the four ball and Shanaka smacks Shami for a boundary to complete his well-deserved 2nd ODI century! Shami bowls the last ball to Shanaka and he hits it over long-on to end his innings on 108* off just 88 deliveries. With this, India wins the game by 67 runs to lead the series by 1-0.

Shanaka and Sri Lanka are waiting for his well-deserved century. He goes out and hits Axar for a big six to move into the 90s. He takes a single in the next delivery and Rajitha sees off the next two balls.

Shami bowls the 48th over and Shanaka welcomes him with two back-to-back fours. Shanaka is making a difference for his team here as Sri Lanka nears the 300-run mark. The win is out of reach but this inning has some spark in it.

Axar Patel bowls his 9th over and gave three runs off it and the req. run-rate jumps to 34 run per over.

Shami comes back in the attack and Shanaka deals with him with a boundary over point. He picks seven off the over to reach 76 off 70.

Shanaka is inflicting a lot of damage to the bowling attack here but it is too little too late now for Sri Lanka as the required run-rate jumps above 20 now. Five off the over.

Shanaka is dealing with boundaries here as he smacks Umran for back-to-back FOURS. First, he picks the full-length delivery and square drives at the point and then pulls the short ball for four. 12 runs from the over as the Sri Lankan captain is holding his grounds with 64 off 59.

Axar to Shanaka and it steers it away for a double to complete his fifty. Three singles to follow, five from this over.

Umran Malik comes back in the attack and first ball he makes an opportunity to break this partnership as Shanaka tries to clear the fence but the ball went way too up and Rohit Shamra attempts to catch it but he misses the tough chance as Shanaka survives. He makes it 2 in 2 as this time he smacks down the ground, using the pace to send the ball over the boundary. Make it third FOUR of the over as this time he flicks it over fine leg for a one-bounce FOUR.

Axar Patel comes back in the attack and Shanaka is taking full advantage of the spinner as he picks his line and smacks him for a FOUR in the third delivery. Three singles from the over make it 7 off the over.

Just three runs of Hardik’s over. 40 gone, Sri Lanka 220 for 8.

Mohammed Siraj to Shanaka and he hits out of the part. It is perfectly timed as Shanaka tries everything to put Sri Lanka in a respectable position, however the inevitable is near. 10 runs off the over.

Hardik Pandya enters the attack, taking the place of Yuzvendra Chahal. India’s pace attack appears to have worked as Hardik strikes this time. He bowls a slower delivery that Karunaratne tries to chip but fails to find elevation, and Rohit Sharma gets the catch to leave Sri Lanka down by 8 wickets.

Mohammed Siraj is being brought back to the attack. The duo of Shanaka and Karunaratne steer Sri Lanka over the 200-run mark as it takes 5 from the over via one double and three singles.

Chahal weaving the spin web and only gave three off his over. 36 gone, Sri Lanka 198 for 7.

Umran Malik uses his variations to deceive the lower-order batters as he only gave a wide in this over.

Spin from the other end continues as Yuzvendra Chahal starts the over by giving just two singles from the first four balls. A full-toss by Chahal and Shanaka uses to his advantage as he sweeps it over the deep square for a boundary.

Umran Malik continues to be in the attack and there he goes, he strikes yet again! A full-length delivery, just a tad bit out and Wellalage tries to punch down but the ball takes an edge and goes straight to Shubman Gill! Karunanrante comes in at no. 9 for Sri Lanka and he hits Umran for two boundaries to make it a 10 runs over for Sri Lanka.

Yuzvendra Chahal continues from the other end and faces the heat from pinch hitter Wanindu Hasaranga, who smashed him for two back-to-back sixes and then a four. But it was the tricky Chahal who has the last laugh as Hasaranag tries to clear the fence in the last ball of the game but the ball didn’t travel horizontally and Shreyas Iyer picks it in long-on.

Umran comes back into the attack and straight away breaks through for India. He deceived good-looking Nissanka by his pace. He tries to pull the ball but only manages to edge it which was easily taken by Axar Patel. Sri Lanka five down!

Chahal is bowling excellent lines, giving a bit of air and mixing his deliveries with a slip in place. Shankara charged down the track and drove straight at the stumps at the non-striker’s end. Just one run from Chahal’s over and India is taking the game further away from Sri Lanka.

Nissanka has dropped anchor with a solid half-century. Hardik Pandya is putting in a lot of effort, bending his back and trying to get a wicket to tilt the momentum further in India’s way. Seven runs came from Hardik’s four over as a boundary to the fine leg spoiled in what could had a fine over.

Yuzvendra Chahal is back in the attack and continues to impress as he starts a fresh spell with a three-run over. Sri Lanka still needs 223 runs with the required rate at 10.14.

Hardik Pandya is back into the attack and started well before Pathum Nissanka drove the all-rounder down the ground for a boundary. Seven runs from Hardik’s over as India aims another breakthrough to push Sri Lanka further on the backfoot.

There is a little spring in the step of the Indians after Shami broke the stand. Axar Patel continues and has finished his fifth over, giving just four runs. Dasun Shanaka is out in the middle and he is off the mark.

Shami steams in with the intention to pick a wicket and he breaks the stand that prospered under difficult circumstances.The 72-run stand has been broken as Shami induces a thick outside edge to end Dhananjaya’s stay at the wicket. Dhananjaya falls for a 40-ball 47 as Shami’s breaks the batsman’s resistance.

Axar continues from the other end and he tests Nissanka with a quick, short delivery and the batsman was up for the challenge with a pull shot for a couple. Dhananjaya then punished Axar for firing in with pace with a flick for a boundary and then a chip over the mid-wicket for yet another boundary. 12 runs from Axar’s over and Sri Lanka with some counter-attacking batting have silenced the spectators.

It’s pace as Mohammed Shami is back into the attack after eight overs of spin, five from Chahal and three from Axar. The spinners didn’t pick wickets but didn’t leak runs as India is firmly in charge of the game. The fifty-run stand is up between de Silva and Nissanka and the last five overs, Sri Lanka has scored 41 runs.

Nissanka and Dhananjaya nearing a fifty- run stand and this was much required from Sri Lanka’s point of view. The approach has been positive from both the batters in chase of a massive total. Axar after getting hit for boundaries is back at bowling stump to stump.

The 100 is up for Sri Lanka and Pathum Nissanka reached his half-century in 57 deliveries and that’s an excellent one given the situation Sri Lanka is in. Using his feet against Chahal, Nissanka hit a couple of boundaries, with the slog sweep being the pick of the shot.

Dhananjaya de Silva seemed to have heard Sunil Gavaskar’s advice of using the feet as the batsman creams Axar for consecutive boundaries and there seems to be a change in strategy as far as the batting is concerned. Dhananjaya finished the over with another boundary to third man as 12 runs came from Axar’s second over.

Finally, a couple of boundaries as an inside edge helped the scorecard move a bit and then de Silva took on Chahal with an excellent shot to the deep. 10 runs from Chahal’s fourth over and the last five overs, India has picked a wicket and given 22 runs.

Spin from both ends as Rohit Sharma brings in Axar Patel, who has been simply outstanding having replaced Ravindra Jadeja. The Indian spinners are extracting turn, drawing the batsmen forward and forcing them to play. Just one run from Axar Patel’s over.

There isn’t much dew so far as Chahal spun one away that as the ball turned and beat Dhananjaya de Silva’s defence as KL Rahul collected it cleanly behind the stumps. Chahal is bowling excellently, mixing his deliveries and once again gives just one run to keep the lid on the Sri Lankan scoring.

Having picked a wicket, Umran Malik has cranked up pace but Dhananjaya de Silva took advantage of the pace and got two boundaries, first a thick outside edge that flew past the slip cordon and then the batsmen with a full face of the bat dispatched the fast bowler to the mid-off boundary. Time for drinks.

Bizarre from Sri Lanka! Replays suggested that there was absolutely no bat involved and Asalanka walked off immediately after the umpire raised his finger. The ball brushed the towel that was tucked in the batsmen’s trousers en route to the keeper and Russel Arnold on air was furious as why Asalanka didn’t review and why he did carry a towel! Meanwhile, Chahal peeled off another fine over, giving just one run.

Umran Malik clocked in a 150.6kph delivery before strangling Asalanka down the leg side to leave Sri Lanka three down. Asalanka and Nissanka were trying to dig in and forged a stand but India managed to break the partnership through Umran.

Spin into the attack and it’s Yuzvendra Chahal who rolls his wrists while trying to plan a dismissal. Not much alarming turn and there was a direct hit at the stumps but the batsman was safe. Chahal starts by giving three from his opening over as India searches for a third breakthrough.

Fast and furious Umran Malik into the attack and he started on a decent fashion giving three singles after bowling three dots to start the over. Nissanka and Asalanka seem to have resisted the attack but need to take on the bowlers while chasing a tall target.

Charith Asalanka ease some nerves with a couple of boundaries but a half-chance went begging at the deep as Umran Malik couldn’t get his fingers underneath the ball. It was a tough one as the ball was travelling and full credit to Umran for putting in the dive and going for the catch. The 50 comes up for Sri Lanka.

A successful review from Sri Lanka as Nissanka went up for the review immediately after being adjudged lbw. There was a clear inside edge as Siraj was denied his third wicket. Siraj is through with his initial spell of five overs and has been fantastic taking two wickets inside the PowerPlay and giving just 15 runs.

Hardik Pandya into the attack and that’s an extremely important role the all-rounder will be playing with the ball going forward with the ODI World Cup on the horizon. There was a hint of away swing with Hardik taking the ball away from Asalanka. The line and length has been good as Hardik started his spell by giving just one run from his opening over.

Siraj continues to impress with his line and lengths and has bowled with good positive intent and has already picked two wickets. The fast bowler did create an opportunity by bowing a bouncer and almost latched on to a catch but allowed Nissanka to extend his stay at the wicket. Top stuff from Siraj.

While Siraj has picked two wickets, Shami is bowling a beautiful line and with a left-hander in Asalanka, the fast bowler produced a jaffa as the ball beat the defence en route to KL Rahul’s gloves. The seam is wobbling and even Rahul struggles a bit to collect it.

Siraj continues to sizzle and the fast bowler knocks out Kusal Mendis for a duck and has put India on top inside the PowerPlay. Sri Lanka reduced to two down as Mendis went for an expansive drive but the ball nipped back in and sneaked past the huge gap between bat and bat to castle the stumps. It was a poor shot from Mendis as there was no control and was even beaten by sheer pace. Siraj lets out a roar and so as India.

Shami steams in with a bit more aggression and there was a half-hearted appeal after the ball dipped in and hit Nissanka pads but that was sliding down the leg. Kusal Mendis is in the middle with Sri Lanka’s required rate standing at 7.77 against the current rate of 4.6

Siraj tops the list of bowlers to strike in the first ten overs and he proves the stats right as the fast bowler gives India an early breakthrough to leave Sri Lanka one down in chase of 377. Avishka Fernando pays the price of playing across the line as he gets a top edge as Hardik Pandya settles under the skier. Siraj caps off the over with a wicket-maiden.

Nissanka gets going as the batsmen helps a delivery from Shami that was bowled too fine down the leg side and a simple tickle helped the ball get to the fine leg boundary. Although the target is huge, India needs to pick wickets and put early pressure on Sri Lanka. Avishka too is off the mark and from Sri Lanka’s point of view, the openers will look to blaze away in the PowerPlay and build the chase from there on.

Mohammed Siraj partners Shami with the new ball and he starts by bowling in the good length area and searching for some swing. The dew has already set in as fielders are carrying towels with them to keep the ball as dry as possible.

Pathum Nissanka and Avishka Fernando begin Sri Lanka’s chase of 374 with Mohammed Shami operating from one end. India will be looking for an early breakthrough with two slips in place to pouch an outside edge, provided the fast bowlers get the ball to pitch in the right areas.

Most ODI Centuries at home

• Virat Kohli - 20*
• Sachin Tendulkar - 20
• Hashim Amla - 14
• Ricky Ponting - 13
• Ross Taylor - 12

Most centuries in ODIs

• Sachin Tendulkar - 49
• Virat Kohli - 45*
• Ricky Ponting - 30
• Rohit Sharma -29
• Sanath Jayasuriya - 28

Fantastic batting show by India with Virat Kohli hitting his 45th ODI century. Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill provided the perfect start with a 143-run opening stand off 118 deliveries and then Kohli took charge forging a 40-run stand with Shreyas Iyer and then an important 90-run stand off 70 balls with KL Rahul. Building brief partnerships with Hardik Pandya and Axar Patel, Kohli reached his century as Sri Lanka chased leather in Guwahati. India has posted a massive target of 373/7 in 50 overs and it’s over to the bowlers.

Virat Kohli departs for a brilliant 83-ball 113 as he slog sweeps a slower one high into the evening sky as Kusal Mendis steadied and settled underneath the skier to hand Rajitha his third wicket. Mohammed Shami and Siraj will look to swing their bats and take India to a further dominating position.

Having reached his century, Kohli further punishes Sri Lanka and the poor fielding continues to haunt the visiting side with Pathum Nisanka allowing the ball to slip between his legs for a boundary to leave Karunaratne stunned. There was some relief as Sri Lanka manages to pack off Axar Patel but still needs to deliver 12 balls with Kohli out there in the middle.

Virat Kohli scores his 45th ODI century, back-to-back hundreds and what a brilliant knock this has been. Kohli with nine centuries against Sri Lanka surpasses Tendulkar’s record of eight and it’s been once again a batting exhibition from the master batsman who hit 10 boundaries and a six. India crosses the 350-run mark and will eye at least 380 with 18 deliveries left.

The Sri Lankan bowlers have taken the pace off the ball and are banking on the slower ones to silence the Indian batsmen. Axar Patel is looking comfortable and is oozing confidence having scored runs in the past and essaying his role to perfection. Kohli is relying on singles and is in touching distance of his century.

India is in a luxurious position despite the fall of Hardik Pandya as he falls while trying to clear a slower delivery over the long-on boundary and departs for a 12-ball 14. Axar Patel is off the mark with a pull shot and with five overs to go, Kohli holds the key.

Chamika Karunaratne is into the attack as Sri Lanka needs to tighten screws and lift its fielding with still six overs to go. Kohli was dropped twice and the batting legend will look to take advantage of the drop catches and reach his 45th ODI century. Kohli into the nineties.

The current projected score is 370 and it will be the highest in this ground. There was a slight glare from Kohli to Hardik after the latter denied a second run, which was easily there. The current run rate is around 7.41 and with Sri Lanka continuing to drop catches, India will be eyeing a total in excess of 380.

Hardik Pandya joins the party straightaway as he smokes Hasaranga high and handsome over the long-off fence as Hasaranga finishes with 10-0-67-0. Too costly and the Indian batsmen have treated the spinner with disdain.

Kasun Rajitha is back in the attack and picks a wicket by knocking off Rahul. The 90-run stand off 70 balls has been broken but the 300 is up for India with still 56 more deliveries to go. Kohli will be looking to bat through the innings and reach his century as Hardik Pandya comes out to the middle for the final flourish.

Kohli is approaching his century and is in touching distance of breaking a couple of records held by batting great Sachin Tendulkar. Hasaranga has been costly and is yet to pick a wicket as India is ready for the final kick.

Rahul welcomes Wellalage into the attack by stepping down the track and hitting the spinner over the extra cover region for a boundary. There is no stopping Kohli as he pulled one through the mid-wicket and a misfield allowed the ball to run to the boundary. Runs are coming rather easily for India.

Hasaranga is back into the attack and both Rahul and Kohli will be looking to attack the spinner. However, both batsmen play the spinner rather safely taking three singles.

Runs are just continuing to flow for India as Kohli gets a life as Mendis drops a sitter and Rahul making most of the start he has got. Kohli then picks the bones out of a slower one and smokes it for a boundary with the Guwahati crowd getting behind the king.

Virat Kohli hits his 65th half-century and reaches the landmark in style with a beautiful six over mid-wicket and then Rahul takes Dhananjaya for a maximum. India on the charge.

Wellalage continues. Only three singles from the over.

Dhananjaya de Silva continues from other end. Three singles to start the over. Seven runs from the over.

Dunith Wellalage comes back into the attack, gave just only one runs from his over.

Dhananjaya to Shreyas Iyer and he strikes the first ball, OUT! Shreyas hits the ball straight to the hands of the fielder at deep backward square leg. Iyer falls for 28 runs. KL Rahul, right-handed batter, joins the Virat Kohli at no. 5. Three singles follow as India takes just three runs off it.

Shreyas Iyer c Avishka Fernando b Dhananjaya 28(24) [4s-3 6s-1]

Hasaranga continues from the other end. Hasaranga to Iyer, SIX! He comes down the pitch and picks up the wrong one quite early to send the ball over the stands for full six runs. 9 runs from the over.

Dhananjaya de Silva comes into the attack. Only four singles from his over.

Hasaranga to Kohli, he steers it away to take a quick single but he uses his athleticism and runs back for a double. Hasaranga to Iyer, FOUR! He hammers it away over the top of the bowler in the straight V for a boundary.

Madushanka to Iyer, FOUR! Iyer pulls the short-length delivery over mid-on. Another boundary as Iyer is making Madushanka think here, is back-to-back fours for Iyer. Again he punishes the short ball with a pull-shot for a boundary. Eight from the over.

Five from Wanindu Hasaranga’s over.

Dilshan Madushanka comes back in the attack. Madushanka to Rohit, OUT! Short of a length delivery which goes straight to the wickets, bowled! Rohit falls after scoring a wonderful knock of 83. Shreyas Iyer, comes to the crease at no. 4. Madushanka to Kohli, FOUR! He opens the face of the bat and punches the ball using his wrist to score a boundary. 7 from the over but a wicket for Sri Lanka.

Rohit b Madushanka 83(67) [4s-9 6s-3]

Wanindu Hasaranga comes into the attack and replaces Wellalage from the attack. Another expensive over for Sri Lanka as India takes 12 off it. Two boundaries, one each from Rohit and Kohli in this over.

Dasun Shanka continues. A double to start the over as Kohli flicks it past the square leg. Three runs come from the next three deliveries. Shanka to Kohli, FOUR! he uses his wrist and drives it for a boundary. A good over for India as it takes 10 from it.

Wellalage continues. Wellalage to Rohit, FOUR! He swings the bat hard and the ball goes straight to the boundary via a thick outside edge. Two singles follow as India takes seven from the over.

Shanaka continues from one end. Shanaka to Gill, FOUR! A flat bat shot from Gill as the ball races away for a boundary. Shanaka to Gill, OUT! A loud shout from the bowling team and this time the umpire gives it out. It looks plumb as Gill is walking away after consulting with his captain. The captain breaks through for his team and a successful over comes to an end with seven runs but a wicket comes from it. Virat Kohli comes to the crease at no. 3.

Shubman Gill lbw b Shanaka 70(60) [4s-11]

Wellalage continues. Wellalage to Rohit and he switches to carnage mode and shows his range of shots. He starts the overs with three back-to-back boundaries and ends the over with a SIX, down the wicket, smacking Wellalage for 19 runs from the over.

Captain Dasun Shanka comes into the attack. Shanka to Gill, he drives the length delivery to complete a single and with this, he reaches his 5th ODI fifty! India is off to a solid start as both the openers cross 50 run mark. Five singles from Shanaka’s first over.

Wellalage to GIll, a loud appeal from Wellalage as the ball skids into the pads of Shubman Gill. The on-field decision is not-out but Sri Lanka takes a review! Reviews show that the ball has hit the pads first but the impact on hitting is again based on the umpire’s call! Gill survives as India saves its wicket for the second time - courtesy of the umpire’s call. Five singles from the over.

Karunaratne continues from the other end. Only six runs from the over as it is time for drinks break!

Dunith Wellalage comes into the attack and replaces Hasaranga from the attack. He starts with a wide, error in picking the line as the ball was down the line. A couple of doubles along with two singles from the first over of Wellalage, seven off it.

Karunaratne to Rohit, the ball is in the air but lands safely away from any Lankan fielder. Rohit takes the opportunity and takes a double off the first delivery. Single to follow in the next ball. Karunaratne to Gill, FOUR! A wonderful shot by Shubman to beat the boundary rider at backward point.

Hasaranga in the attack. Hasaranga to Rohit, FOUR! by this boundary, he reaches to his 47th ODI fifty! A well-deserved one from the captain. Seven off the over as India closes near 100 runs mark.

Chamika Karunaratne continues from the other end. Only two runs off the Karunaratne’s over.

Hasaranga continues from the other end. Hasaranga to Rohit, a googly from him and Rohit misses it, ball goes straight to the pads and it’s a huge shout from the Lankan team for lbw! Umpire gives the decision in favour of India. Sri Lanka takes the review and Rohit Sharma survives this time on the basis of the on-field decision. 3 runs from the over.

Chamika Karunaratne comes into the attack from the other end, replacing Dilshan Madushanka. Karunaratne to Rohit, FOUR! Another short-of-length delivery to Rohit and he picks the length on time to send the ball for a boundary.

Wanindu Hasaranga comes into the attack, and replaces Rajitha. Wanindu Hasaranga starts with tight line and length, giving only two singles in the first five deliveries. Hasaranga to Gill, FOUR! Gill tries to play across the line and gets an inside edge and the ball races away for a boundary. 6 off the over.

Madushanka from the other end. Madushanka to Rohit, and he pulls the short ball for another boundary to the backward square leg. Madushanka ends the over with three dots balls as India takes just 4 from the over. 8 gone, India 63/0

Rajitha continues from the other end. He bowls a short of a length delivery and Rohit pounces on it and pulls it over square leg for a SIX! Rajitha to Rohit and he hits it for another SIX! this time over mid-wicket. Rohit is dealing in boundaries here as he picks up the short ball and sends it away for a FOUR! 17 off the over.

Shubman Gill is answering critics who questioned his place instead of Ishan Kishan, who was dropped on the back of a fantastic double hundred. Gill showcases his class with a hat-trick of boundaries as he first opens the face of the bat to guide the ball through point and then once again bisects the point region and then cashes in on an short and wide delivery. India is off to a brilliant start and the pitch is a belter of a track.

Shubman Gill is away as the Indian opener pockets a boundary while Rohit is on song dispatching Ranjitha for a couple of boundaries to give India a bright start. A nonchalant flick through the square leg and then exhibits another flick through the mid-wicket. Both the shots were timed so brilliantly.

That’s bread and butter for Rohit Sharma as the Indian skipper drives a pitched-up delivery through the mid-off to get off the mark with a boundary. India up and running after being asked to bat first on a pitch where there is little swing on offer.

We are done and dusted with the national anthems and out come the Indian openers. Rohit Sharma walks out along with Shubman Gill and the new pair will be eyeing to get some runs under the belt, especially the Indian skipper. For Sri Lanka it will be Kasun Rajitha who will begin proceedings with the new ball.

Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis(w), Avishka Fernando, Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka(c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Dunith Wellalage, Kasun Rajitha, Dilshan Madushanka

Rohit Sharma(c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul(w), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Mohammed Shami, Umran Malik, Mohammed Siraj, Yuzvendra Chahal

We are happy to bat first. We would have liked to bowl as well, it’s a good challenge. The ground was flooded with dew yesterday. There will be times where we need to bowl under dew, we got to be ready for that with the World Cup around the corner. It’s about doing the basics right, it’s important to do things differently at times. We need to keep moving in the right direction. Had a great time playing an ODI last time, hope we’ll have another memorable game today.

Dilshan Madushanka will make his debut for Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka wins toss, asks India to bat first

Toss becomes very vital as dew will come into play very early and the skipper winning the toss will opt to bowl first. India has been predominantly very good with chasing and Rohit will hope that the coin lands in his favour.

“It’s a venue where batters enjoy, it’s a high scoring venue. The pitch is on the drier side, and there are a few cracks. Dew might come into play tonight. The team fielding second will have a tough time because it will be tough to grip the ball. The pitch looks a good one to bat on, but chasing will be easier here. The wicket will grip a bit in the first innings, but not so, in the second innings. Captain winning the toss might elect to bowl first.”

Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (wk), Charith Asalanka, Avishka Fernando, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dasun Shanaka (c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Kasun Rajitha, Maheesh Theekshana, Lahiru Kumara, Jeffrey Vandersay

Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya (c), Axar Patel, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Umran Malik/Arshdeep Singh

The first ODI between India and Sri Lanka will be aired LIVE on the Star Sports Network.

Wicketkeeper: Kusal Mendis

Batters: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav (c), Dasun Shanaka,

All-rounders: Hardik Pandya, Wanindu Hasaranga (vc), Axar Patel

Bowlers: Kasun Rajitha, Maheesh Theekshana, Mohammed Shami

Team Composition: SL 5:6 IND Credits Left: 9.0

Follow the Ranji Trophy Updates

In head-to-head, India holds a significant advantage over Sri Lanka, having won 36 more games. In one-day internationals, India has faced Sri Lanka 162 times, winning 93 and losing 57. 11 games have ended with no results, while one game has ended in a tie.

With just nine months left for the 50-over World Cup at home, the real countdown begins for India now with a three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka, starting at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.

India will host three countries, also including New Zealand and Australia, playing a three-match series with each of them, at nine different venues in the pre-Indian Premier League (IPL) phase.

While the workload will be closely monitored, one is certain to witness various experiments in this phase before a more settled unit fine-tunes itself in the final phase.