Reported By:
| Edited By: Pranav Joshi |Source: DNA webdesk |Updated: Sep 29, 2017, 05:56 PM IST
India begin yet another ODI series against Sri Lanka on Sunday. This time however, there is no MS Dhoni. Virat Kohli, who has been struggling for form, will lead the Indian side in the first 3 ODIs.
Almost as significantly, this is Suresh Raina's 200th ODI. Looking back, he only debuted less than a decade ago, and has already played 199 ODIs. It goes to show how much of a mainstay Suresh Raina is for the Indian ODI side, though his Test performances have been insipid and his inclusion sporadic. More importantly, Raina is in decent form, having hit 62 and 71 against the West Indies in the two ODIs that did take place. He will also look to fit into the role of a finisher in the absence of MS Dhoni.
India's most recent memorable triumph against Sri Lanka came three years ago in the World Cup Final in Mumbai, which MS Dhoni finished off with a six. However, Sri Lanka beat India in the ICC World Twenty20 final just this year, much against most predictions. India therefore, will at least be motivated to avenge that defeat.
This is also the last opportunity at home for India to pick a World Cup side for the mega event in Australia and New Zealand early next year. A tour of Australia, complete with a tri-series after the Tests, follows this series, and then we head to the World Cup.
India have a clear advantage not just in Match 1 of this series against Sri Lanka, but also for the rest. The Sri Lankan attack is very green and the Indian batting is formidable, despite the absence of MS Dhoni. Moreover, India have just won series (or whatever part of the series actually took place) against West Indies and England, while Sri Lanka haven't played in two months. Kumar Sangakkara is the one bright spot for Sri Lanka - he has scored 728 runs in 18 ODIs this year and has achieved the status of a legend with his performance over the last 7 years or so.
Sri Lanka however, will miss their two star bowlers. India on the other hand, could see Mohammad Shami's undisclosed injury as an advantage - an opportunity for bowlers like Umesh Yadav and Amit Sharma.
In conclusion, a close series is not an impossibility, but India will most likely win without much to worry about.
India (probable): Ajinkya Rahane, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli (captain), Ambati Rayudu, Suresh Raina, Wriddhiman Saha (wicketkeeper), Ravindra Jadeja, R Ashwin, Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav, Varun Aaron
Sri Lanka (probable): Upul Tharanga, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Ashan Priyanjan, Angelo Mathews (captain), Thisara Perera, Seekkuge Prasanna, Dhammika Prasad, Nuwan Kulasekara, Suraj Randiv or Lahiru Gamage
