Dambulla: After a dominating show in the Test series India will again aim to stamp their authority in the five-match ODI series when they meet a low-on-confidence Sri Lanka in the first match here Sunday. The series will also play an important role in identifying the core players for the 2019 World Cup squad.
Chief selector MSK Prasad has clearly indicated that Team India will give emphasis on the fitness aspect in this series and begin their preparations for the 2019 World Cup in England. One of the ideas will be to try out Test opener KL Rahul at the No. 4 position in the ODI team.
The team management is hoping this will prove to be a long-term move, ending the instability that has been associated with the No.4 spot since the 2015 ODI World Cup when Ajinkya Rahane relinquished it after an average showing.
This move also highlights that Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma will continue to open the innings, with Rahane the third-choice opener given the presence of both Manish Pandey and Kedar Jadhav in the squad.
With MS Dhoni occupying the No. 5 spot and Hardik Pandya taking in the all-rounder role at No.7, both Pandey and Jadhav will be vying for that solitary No. 6 spot.
The Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium hasn’t been a happy hunting ground for the Men in Blue, though. They have played 17 ODIs here and won nine of those matches. Against Sri Lanka, they have played 11 ODIs at this venue but only managed to win four of them.
India’s full-time bowling combination however, looks settled though, with Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah expected to lead the attack. Kuldeep Yadav has proven himself to be the captain’s frontline spin choice, and the second spinner’s toss-up will be between Axar Patel and Yuzvendra Chahal with both frontline spinners Ravi Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja rested.
For Sri Lanka, meanwhile, this series is more than just a matter of saving face after their heavy loss in the Test series. The hosts need two more ODI wins to confirm their spot in the 2019 ODI World Cup by way of automatic qualification.
However it is easier said than done. New skipper Upul Tharanga will have his task cut out ahead of a major challenge. However, he is taking heart out of the win Sri Lanka achieved against India recently in the Champions Trophy.
“We have the confidence having beaten India in the Champions Trophy (in June). No one thought that we would beat them. We have to put the Test series loss behind us and play with a fresh mind,” Tharanga said.
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