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August 1, 2024
Sri Lanka is losing five fast bowlers due to injuries or illness. Meanwhile, India will be strengthened by the return of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Kuldeep Yadav.
Here’s a more explicit version:
Sri Lanka is struggling with multiple setbacks. After their heavy defeat in the final T20I, which allowed India to sweep the series 3-0, their preparations for the ODI series have been seriously affected. They are missing five fast bowlers due to injuries or illness.
To fill the gap, Sri Lanka has called up uncapped players Mohamed Shiraz and Eshan Malinga, hoping they can support the only fit seamer, Asitha Fernando, and allrounder Chamika Karunaratne.
On a positive note, this situation might briefly distract them from their recent poor performances in ODIs, where they’ve often failed to score over 100 runs. In their last four ODI matches against India, Sri Lanka has fallen short of triple digits in three games.
Sri Lanka should focus more on building a strong team rather than stressing over the results of the upcoming ODIs. Their next big tournament is the 2027 World Cup, as they didn’t qualify for the 2025 Champions Trophy. Building a solid foundation now will be more beneficial in the long run.
Recently, Sri Lanka has had some success in ODIs against Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Zimbabwe. However, their last ODI win against India was in July 2021, ending a five-match losing streak. Currently, Sri Lanka is on a six-match losing streak against India. This series will offer them a chance to turn things around.
This series is a step towards preparing for the Champions Trophy for India. With Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli back, India focuses on refining their team and finding the best combinations. They will hope for a more formidable challenge than they faced in the T20Is.
Sri Lanka LWLWW (last five ODIs, most recent first)
India WLWLW
Sri Lanka needs help with middle—and lower-order batting and relies heavily on top-order performances for success. Pathum Nissanka has been their standout player, scoring 497 runs in six ODIs this year, the highest by any batter globally. His strike rate 122.41 is also the best among those with at least 200 runs. Sri Lanka will need top-form Nissanka to compete against the strong Indian team.
As the series moves from Kandy to Colombo, the conditions will change. Khettarama Stadium typically sees fewer high scores, with spin bowlers often playing a crucial role. Kuldeep Yadav, who was key in India’s recent T20 World Cup win but missed the T20Is against Sri Lanka, will be eager to contribute. Although Ravi Bishnoi and Riyan Parag performed well in his absence, Kuldeep will be looking to make an impact on this tour.
Sri Lanka’s fast-bowling lineup is in disarray, so they may rely on just two main seamers, given that the pitch is expected to favor spin. Dunith Wellalage might be preferred over Chamika Karunaratne if they include an extra spinner.
Sri Lanka (probable lineup):
India’s top order is set, but some changes may be lower down. With Hardik Pandya not in the ODI squad, Shivam Dube or Riyan Parag will fill in as the batting allrounder. If Parag plays, India could opt for three main seamers, giving either Khaleel Ahmed or the uncapped Harshit Rana a chance.
India (probable lineup):
Based on recent Lanka Premier League matches, batting conditions in Colombo may have improved. However, the pitch still offers plenty for bowlers, especially spinners. However, completing the game on Friday might be challenging due to the expected heavy rain throughout the day.
Stats and trivia: India’s dominance
Katarzyna Nowak is a seasoned writer with over five years of experience in editorial content, news reporting, and cricket sportsbook app reviews. As an author for IPLWin365 (IPL365 News), she combines her deep understanding of the sports betting industry with a passion for cricket, delivering insightful and accurate content that keeps readers informed and engaged.
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