India vs Sri Lanka – ODI Series Preview and Schedule




The five-match ODI series between India and Sri Lanka kicks off in Barabati Stadium, Cuttack, with neither side boasting their strongest squads, at least for the first three games, given the hasty arrangement of the event.

India vs Sri Lanka - ODI Series Preview and Schedule

India vs Sri Lanka – ODI Series Preview and Schedule

Sri Lanka were roped into playing this series to fill the gap left by the West Indies, who abandoned their tour to India with a number of games, including three Tests, unplayed.

Sri Lanka’s coach and skipper have already bemoaned the lack of preparation time, given they were in the middle of a break after a long year, and have gone so far as to say they don’t really care if they win. They’re using it as World Cup research more than anything.

This is seen in their selection choices, with a number of key players either injured or rested. Lasith Malinga (hurt), Rangana Herath, Dinesh Chandimal, and Ajantha Mendis are all missing, giving chances to youngsters like Lahiru Gamage.

The batting line up is strong though, with veterans Tillakaratne Dilshan, Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara all present, joining skipper of the year, Angelo Mathews. Lahiru Thirimanne is not there though.

While Sri Lanka have their skipper, India do not. MS Dhoni has opted to sit out the first three games, giving Virat Kohli the chance to show his leadership credentials away from the Royal Challengers Bangalore.

Kohli will be eager to get some runs on the board after his dismal tour to England and the resulting backlash. He seemed to make a return to form against the West Indies though, scoring a half ton and 127.

India’s batting is still impressive though, but still without Rohit Sharma, who is playing for India A while he recovers from a finger injury. Murali Vijay is on hand to fill the gap alongside Shikhar Dhawan.

The hosts are missing their best pacemen though, with Mohammed Shami ruled out with an injury and replaced by Dhawal Kulkarni, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been rested. Varun Aaron and Ravi Ashwin have been recalled, while Ishant Sharma and Umesh Yadav provide the experience.

Key Men
For the hosts, they will look to all-rounder Suresh Raina for a match-winning effort. He was brilliant in England, and the key reason they won the ODI series, and added two half tons to his records against the Windies.

Sri Lanka’s key man is skipper Angelo Mathews. He has been a delight in 2014, leading his side to the Asia Cup and the World Twenty20 titles, and averaged over 90 in their most recent ODI series, against Pakistan.

Last Five Head-To-Head Results
2014 Asia Cup: Sri Lanka won by two wickets in Fatullah
2013 tri series: India won by one wicket in Port of Spain
2013 tri-series: India won by 81 runs in Port of Spain
2013 tri-series: Sri Lanka won by 161 runs in Kingston
2013 Champions Trophy: India won by eight wickets in Cardiff

Squads

India: Virat Kohli (captian), Shikhar Dhawan, Ajinkya Rahane, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, Wriddhiman Saha, R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhawal Kulkarni, Umesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Amit Mishra, M Vijay, Varun Aaron, Akshar Patel.

Sri Lanka: Angelo Mathews, Kusal Perera, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Upul Tharanga, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Ashan Priyanjan, Niroshan Dickwella, Thisara Perera, Nuwan Kulasekara, Dhammika Prasad, Lahiru Gamage, Chaturanga de Silva, Seekuge Prasanna, Suraj Randiv.

India vs Sri Lanka ODI Series Schedule:

Sunday, 2 November: 1st ODI (1.30 pm IST, 8 am GMT, 4 am ET) at Barabati Stadium, Cuttack.

Thursday, 6 November: 2nd ODI (1.30 pm IST, 8 am GMT, 4 am ET) at Sardar Patel Stadium, Ahmedabad.

Sunday, 9 November: 3rd ODI (1.30 pm IST, 8 am GMT, 4 am ET) at Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, Hyderabad.

Thursday, 13 November: 4th ODI (1.30 pm IST, 8 am GMT, 4 am ET) at Eden Gardens, Kolkata.

Sunday, 16 November: 5th ODI (1.30 pm IST, 8 am GMT, 4 am ET) at JSCA International Stadium, Ranchi.

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

Author:

Aspiring Media Enthusiast, Cricket Tragic, Football Fanatic, Avid Reader, Amateur Photographer & Wannabe Sports Writer.

Cricket

US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti enjoys gully cricket in Jaipur

US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti enjoys gully cricket in Jaipur

Posted by: Vikram Kamboj on February 4th, 2024

Jaipur, 04 February 2024: US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti was in the pink city on Saturday where the Ambassador dropped by Rajasthan Royals’ home stadium ..

Football

LALIGA Concludes ‘Extra Time’ Webinar Series

LALIGA Concludes ‘Extra Time’ Webinar Series

Posted by: Pooja Kamboj on May 16th, 2024

Continuing to work alongside stakeholders from the sports fraternity, LALIGA, the world’s largest football ecosystem, brought the curtains down on this se ..

Tennis

Leander Paes inducted into International Tennis Hall of Fame

Leander Paes inducted into International Tennis Hall of Fame

Posted by: Vikram Kamboj on December 19th, 2023

Former doubles world No. 1 Leander Paes was recently elected to receive the Ultimate Honor in Tennis – induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame &# ..

F1

Life Lessons learned from Sports & Fitness #TOSBDay

Life Lessons learned from Sports & Fitness #TOSBDay

Posted by: Vikram Kamboj on September 26th, 2016

Held on Sept 1st, The Outstanding Speakers’ Bureau (TOSB) Twinterview consisted of sports panelists such as Mark Gallagher (Public Speaker on F1 race), Shayam ..

Boxing

Anthony Joshua and Joseph Parker set for huge showdown

Anthony Joshua and Joseph Parker set for huge showdown

Posted by: Vikram Kamboj on February 15th, 2018

It looks like it will be a scintillating couple of months for fans of elite boxing. There is the prospect of the rematch between Gennady Golovkin and Saul ‘Ca ..

Other Sports

The 2023-24 Season of the Los Angeles Clippers: A Mid-Season Review

The 2023-24 Season of the Los Angeles Clippers: A Mid-Season Review

Posted by: Vikram Kamboj on February 15th, 2024

As the 2023-24 NBA season approaches the All-Star break, the Los Angeles Clippers have emerged as a formidable force in the Western Conference, showcasing their ..

One stop guide to all the latest sports news, reviews, opinions, fixtures and live scores from India and around the world.

Copyright © 2024 | The Sports Mirror