Asianet NewsableAsianet Newsable

India vs Sri Lanka 2021, 1st ODI preview: Can the inexperienced Men In Blue draw first blood?

India and Sri Lanka get set to face off in a three-match One-Day International series, starting Sunday. While Team India is moderately inexperienced, so is Lanka. However, one team would draw first blood on Sunday as we present the match preview.

India vs Sri Lanka 2021, 1st ODI preview: Team analysis, fantasy xi, probable xi, streaming-ayh
Author
Colombo, First Published Jul 17, 2021, 5:07 PM IST

Limited-overs cricketing action resumes for Team India. It takes on Sri Lanka in the first of the three-match One-Day International series at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Sunday.

Interestingly, India has sent a relatively inexperienced side to the island nation since the senior side is preparing in England. However, Lanka is not that experienced either, with most of the senior players opting out. Nevertheless, as the sides look to draw first blood, we present the match preview.

Team composition
As for India, it is a tide heavy on its batting. Thus, the Indian batters seem adamant about going after the Lankan bowlers and put runs on the board. However, with India having great likes of spinners like Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal and Varun Chakravarthy, along with seamer Bhuvnmeshwar Kumar heading the pace attack, it would be a dominant side.

Meanwhile, Lanka also nearly has some new faces after a few players pulled out, citing contract issues. With Dasun Shanaka being handed the captaincy duties, he would have a mountain to scale in his maiden leadership duty in the format. However, it is heavily loaded with bowlers, contrary to that of India. Therefore, a big battle between the bat and the ball is on the cards.

Injury concerns
None of the sides has any injury concerns a day before the game.

ALSO READ: India vs Sri Lanka 2021- Inexperienced, yet formidable Team India looks to prove a point

Head-to-head
As for the head-on clashes, India is traditionally ahead, having won 91 of the 159 matches, with Lanka winning 56. Meanwhile, in Lanka, India is marginally ahead, winning 28 off the 61, and Lanka winning 27. In Colombo, things are currently square, with both winning 15 apiece.

Weather and pitch report
As for the weather, rain is expected on Sunday, while the temperature is likely to be around 29 degrees. Meanwhile, the pitch is slightly slower, as the team winning the toss is expected to bat first.

Probable XI
India:
Shikhar Dhawan (c), Prithvi Shaw, Sanju Samson (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Manish Pandey, Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya, Yuzvendra Chahal, Bhuvaneshwar Kumar, Deepak Chahar and Navdeep Saini.
Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka (c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Ramesh Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva, Chamika Karunaratne, Dushmantha Chameera and Praveen Jayawickrama.

Fantasy XI
Batsmen:
Fernando, Shanaka, Yadav, Dhawan (c)- Dhawan and Yadav would surely start as the openers, while Fernando and Shanaka are sure to dominate in the middle-order. Furthermore, Dhawan's experience and reliability makes him the skipper,
Wicketkeeper: Samson- He is the man in form in the department and tends to fire in the opening game.
All-rounders: Hasaranga (vc), Krunal, Pandya- While the Pandya brothers are sure to dominate all departments, Hasaranga's experience in the conditions makes him the vice-captain and a perfect fit in the department
Bowlers: Chameera, Chahal, Bhuvneshwar- While Chameera and Bhuvneshwar would look to make a substantial impact with their seam bowling, Chahal is sure to come in handy with his leg-spins, as he is a limited-overs expert.

Match details
Date and day:
July 18, 2021 (Sunday)
Venue: R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
Time: 3 PM (IST)
Where to watch (TV): Sony Ten, Sony Six, Sony Ten 3 and Sony Ten 4 (Also available in HD, along with regional languages)
Where to watch (Online): Sony LIV

NOTE: Asianet News humbly requests everyone to wear masks, sanitise, maintain social distancing and get vaccinated as soon as eligible. Together we can and will break the chain #ANCares #IndiaFightsCorona

Follow Us:
Download App:
  • android
  • ios