Kolkata: After a dominating Test series victory, the Indian team would look to carry on with their winning run in the ODI’s beginning today. Virat Kohli and co would be riding high on confidence as they have just registered their first ever overseas whitewash and undoubtedly they would be the stronger side entering into the limited overs’ series.
However, the one thing that would change is the fact that there were would new some new faces in both these squads. Mahendra Singh Dhoni would be back in action for the visitor’s and his addition would undoubtedly be a huge boost for the Indian team. They also have some young talent in the form of Manish Pandey, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav among others. Despite the inexperience of the bowling department in the Indian team, the momentum would be on their side and they would also capitalise on the fact that their opponents aren’t having a good time in international cricket, across all formats.
Sri Lanka on the other hand would however want to forget the wounds of the Test series. In all the three matches, they were thoroughly outplayed in all the departments as they were hammered by the visitors in emphatic fashion. But under a new leader in Upul Tharanga, they would want to shift their focus to the limited overs’ series. Statistically, they would have to win atleast two matches in the five-match series to cement a place in the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup.
They haven’t played well in the 50-over format as recently there were handed a shock 3-2 defeat at the hands of Zimbabwe at home. In addition, they have lost their last seven matches out of the ten they’ve played.
If they manage to pull off atleast two wins, then their total points would rise to 90, above their nearest competitors West Indies. The Caribbean side would reach to a tally of 88 points if they win six of their ODI’s- one against Ireland and five against England, before September 30, which is the cut-off date. Hence, there are a lot of things at stake for the Lankans and they wouldn’t want to let go of this golden opportunity at any cost.
India would look to continue with their winning run in the island nation and the first ODI in Dambulla wouldn’t be any different. But with the change in format, Sri Lankans would want to put on an improved show in the 50-over format. They had beaten a mighty Indian team in the Champions Trophy and had shocked the world. Can they do it again?