1st ODI: Kohli, Rohit return as SL elect to bat
After routing Sri Lanka 3-0 in T20Is, India are aiming to replicate their heroics in the ODI leg. Rohit Sharma, who led India to the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup title, is back to spearhead the side in ODIs. Virat Kohli also returns to the setup. Meanwhile, SL skipper Charith Asalanka won the toss in the first ODI and elected to bat first.
Stadium stats and pitch report
Colombo's R Premadasa Stadium will host all three games. The surface here is likely to favor bowlers, especially the slower ones. Moreover, pacers will likely garner swing early on. Therefore, batting can be a bit challenging throughout the match. As per Cricbuzz, teams batting first have won 88 of the 164 ODIs played here (59 losses).
Where to watch the match?
The opening match will be telecast live on the Sony Sports Network, while SonyLIV will provide the live streaming (2:30pm IST). The toss was held 30 minutes prior to the start.
Rohit, Kohli return for India; Shiraz makes debut
As mentioned, India's T20 WC-winning stars Rohit and Kohli return to the ODI setup. The likes of Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul also return. All-rounder Shivam Dube has returned to the ODI XI for the first time since 2019. On the other hand, Charith Asalanka continues to lead the Lankans in white-ball cricket. Pacer Mohamed Shiraz makes his international debut for the Lankans.
A look at head-to-head record
As per ESPNcricinfo, India have firmly dominated Sri Lanka, as far as the ODI head-to-head record is concerned (99-57). One of their duels ended in a tie. Their last bilateral series saw India thrash SL 3-0 at home last year. On Lankan soil, the two Asian nations last met way back in 2021 (bilateral series). The Men in Blue clinched that series 2-1.
A look at the playing XIs
India (Playing XI): Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj. Sri Lanka (Playing XI): Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis (wk), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka (c), Janith Liyanage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Akila Dananjaya, Asitha Fernando, Mohamed Shiraz.
Here are the key performers
Kohli has hammered five ODI tons in the island nation as he averages 48.95 here. Two of Rohit's three double-tons in ODIs have come against SL. He averages 45.46 against the team. Pathum Nissanka has hammered three tons in the six ODIs he has played this year. Wanindu Hasaranga has scalped 45 wickets in 20 ODIs since 2023 (ER: 5.15).
