3rd ODI: SL elect to bat, Riyan Parag makes debut
Sri Lanka eye their first ODI series win over India since 1997, as the two sides meet in the third and final game. While the series opener was tied, SL successfully defended 240 in the 2nd ODI to take a 1-0 lead. Meanwhile, India who eye their 100th ODI win over SL. SL have elected to bat, while Riyan Parag makes his ODI debut.
Riyan Parag makes his ODI debut; Pant replaces Rahul
India (Playing XI): Rohit Sharma (captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), Shreyas Iyer, Riyan Parag, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, and Mohammed Siraj. Sri Lanka (Playing XI): Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis (wicket-keeper), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka (captain), Janith Liyanage, Kamindu Mendis, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, and Asitha Fernando.
Pitch report and streaming details
Colombo's R Premadasa Stadium is hosting the entire series. The surface in the first two games favored the bowlers, especially the slower ones. The batting gets even more difficult once the ball gets old. The series finale will be telecast live on the Sony Sports Network, while SonyLIV will provide the live streaming, starting at 2:30pm IST.
India eye 100th ODI win over SL
As per ESPNcricinfo, India have firmly dominated Sri Lanka, as far as the ODI head-to-head record is concerned (99-58). The two sides have been involved in two ties. The Lankans last won a bilateral ODI series against India in 1997. Notably, a win in the third game can make India the first nation to complete 100 ODI wins against an opponent.
SL eye maiden ODI series over India in 27 years
As mentioned, SL could win their maiden ODI series over India since 1997. The hosts have already broken India's streak of winning 10 consecutive ODI series against the Lankans (two-plus matches).
Key takeaways from the two matches
It has been a low-scoring series so far as both sides managed 231 in the opener, while India couldn't chase 241 in the second game. The sudden collapses have hurt India as their openers added 75 and 97 runs in the first two matches. Spinners across both camps have been mighty impressive. Jeffrey Vandersay took a historic six-fer in the 2nd ODI.
