SL series 'not a practice ground' as India begin CT preparations

Except for the players, the support staff, the cameramen, and the organisers, everyone who could afford the luxury of taking shade opted for it on Thursday (August 1) afternoon at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. Well, everyone except two enthusiastic gentlemen in the square stands, who tirelessly waved the Indian flag as the team practised, possibly signalling the dawn of a new era in Indian cricket. Or maybe they just really love waving flags.

Even before the euphoria of the T20 World Cup win had a chance to fade, Rohit Sharma is gearing up to lead his side in yet another global event in six months. This time, it's a different format, one that India haven't dipped their toes into for more than half of 2024. With only six scheduled games to find their rhythm before the Champions Trophy next year, the Indian captain has clarified that the upcoming ODI series against Sri Lanka in Colombo will not be played on a 'practice ground'. International cricket is serious business, he asserted, even if a few experiments are on the agenda.

India's ODI setup, largely intact from one of their best World Cup campaigns in 2023, now awaits the touch of new head coach Gautam Gambhir. In the eight months since that tournament, India have played only three ODIs, all under the captaincy of KL Rahul. Yet, the return of Rohit promises more than just familiar faces. Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, and Ravindra Jadeja have been rested for the upcoming series, while Mohammed Shami is still on his way back to full fitness. Their absence creates an opportunity for the backups to get gametime in some crucial roles.

The bigger question for India, though, is the curious case of the wicketkeeper's slot. With KL Rahul doing a commendable job in Rishabh Pant's absence, is there still room for the southpaw to return to the XI, having not played the 50-over format for nearly two years? The notable absence of any other left-hander in the top six of a full-strength lineup is his big advantage. The Indian captain has kept his cards close to his chest about who will be India's No. 1 wicketkeeper, but it's a dilemma he seems quite content to mull over.

While India might be aiming for another cleansweep, their opponents, Sri Lanka, battered by recent defeats and a string of injuries - six frontline fast bowlers down - will be equally eager, if not desperate, to notch a win. Despite lacking the urgency unlike India to prepare for the 2025 Champions Trophy, Sri Lanka's determination to break their losing streak adds an additional layer of intrigue to the series. And who knows, maybe more flag-waving gentlemen will have reasons to celebrate on Friday night.

When: Friday, August 2, 2024, 2:30 PM (Local Time)

Where: Sri Lanka vs India, 1st ODI, R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo

What to expect: Scattered showers are forecast for Friday, and there is a possibility that a third game in a row in this ongoing India tour of Sri Lanka will be impacted by rain and wet outfield. If the match remains unhampered, it should be a reasonably low scoring affair. Since 2022, 13 ODIs have been played at the venue with an average first innings score of 225. However, for teams who have won batting first, their average score has shot up to 270.

Team News:

Sri Lanka: The hosts have been hit further by two more of their fast bowlers getting ruled out due to injuries, taking the total of fast bowler injuries to six. Dilshan Madushanka has suffered a Grade 2 injury to his left hamstring while Matheesha Pathirana has injured his shoulder. Uncapped fast bowlers Mohamed Shiraz and Eshan Malinga were included in the squad a day ahead of the first game.

Probable XI: Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Janith Liyanage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Dunith Wellalage, Mahesh Theekshana, Asitha Fernando

India: Rishabh Pant has returned to the ODI side after having last featured in a 50-over contest almost two years ago. The question is whether he will directly replace KL Rahul as the 'keeper of the ODI side or whether he will have to wait his turn. India could also be tempted to try out the uncapped Harshit Rana in the XI, a rare pacer who offers some batting potential lower down the order.

Probable XI: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul/Rishabh Pant, Shivam Dube/Riyan Parag, Axar Patel, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Khaleel Ahmed/Arshdeep Singh

Did you know?

• In 10 innings in Colombo, Virat Kohli has scored 644 runs at an average of 107.33, including four centuries

• Sadeera Samarawickrama, who is yet to score a run against Mohammed Siraj in ODIs, has been dismissed twice by the Indian pacer

• India is yet to play an ODI in 2024

What they said:

"It's not a practice ground this (series), it's still an international game. We will keep in our mind what we would like to achieve as a team but this is by no means preparation or practice or anything like that. We want to come here and play good cricket and get something out of the series, it is as simple as that. Of course, we want to try everything possible but sometimes you got to understand when you're representing the nation, the quality of the cricket you want to play should remain the way it is and how we have played our cricket in the last few years. I think that is more important, more than thinking about it is preparation so 'lets go out and chill in Colombo'" - Rohit Sharma, India captain.

"There is no excuse for us to say anything, and for us to win is the ultimate thing. It's disappointing as a coach, but we have to take the criticism as well, as a coach, as a support staff, as a team. We are taking the responsibility, you cna't go away from that. As long as they realise that, and make sure that, we'll have to keep giving them the confidence and support" - Sanath Jayasauriya, Sri Lanka head coach.