Visakhapatnam
Concern in Sri Lanka as Injuries and Illness Strike Squad
Sri Lanka finds themselves facing hardship as injuries and illness plague their team. Still reeling from a devastating loss in the final T20I against India, which resulted in a 3-0 series sweep, the team now faces significant setbacks in the ODI leg with five of their fast bowlers sidelined.
As a result, uncapped players Mohamed Shiraz and Eshan Malinga have been called up in hopes of providing support to the remaining fit seamer, Asitha Fernando, and all-rounder Chamika Karunaratne.
While the team may be distracted by their recent struggles in ODIs against India, where they have failed to score triple digits in three out of their last four meetings, it might be best for them to focus on building a strong foundation for future tournaments.
On the other hand, India is focused on preparing for the Champions Trophy, with key players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli back in the squad. They are looking to fine-tune their team combination and are anticipating a tougher challenge in the upcoming matches.
Key Players to Watch
Pathum Nissanka’s exceptional performance in ODIs this year has been crucial for Sri Lanka, with his impressive stats highlighting his importance to the team. On the other hand, Kuldeep Yadav will be looking to make an impact with his spin bowling as the teams move to Colombo.
Potential Lineups
Possible lineup for Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Kamindu Mendis, Charith Asalanka, Janith Liyanage, Dunith Wellalage/Chamika Karunaratne, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Mohamed Shiraz/Eshan Malinga, Asitha Fernando.
Possible lineup for India: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant/KL Rahul, Shivam Dube/Riyan Parag, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Khaleel Ahmed/Harshit Rana, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj.
Match Details and Forecast
The upcoming match in Colombo is expected to offer a balance between bat and ball, with spin likely to play a significant role. However, the threat of rain could disrupt gameplay, with heavy showers predicted throughout the day.
Interesting Facts and Figures
- Sri Lanka has struggled against India in ODIs, with a poor win-loss record over the past decade.
- Virat Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar hold top positions for most runs scored against Sri Lanka in ODIs.
- Pathum Nissanka leads the charts for most runs in ODIs since 2023.
