Sri Lanka Vs India 1st ODI: India Bowl First, Rohit Sharma Returns

India won the toss and elected to field first against Sri Lanka  in the first match of the five-match One-Day International series on Sunday (August 20) at Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, Dambulla.

Here is what the captains said:

Virat Kohli:

“We are going to chase. It has been a while that we played on this track. The track does not have as much grass cover as it used to have. Should be a wicket to enjoy batting on. We love chasing. You have a bit of advantage winning the toss. But you have to execute your skills. I was sitting on the same chair I was sitting 9 years ago. Have some happy memories. The idea is to improve even after we have won games. As I said, you have to start well, be boring at times.”

Upul Tharanga:

“We were going to bat first here. Looks like a good wicket. In the last series as well, the team batting first scored some good runs. I told boys to forget the Test series. People like Lasith coming is a positive. Chamara Kapugedera, Thisara Perera come in.”

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka will want to leave the setbacks in the Test series behind and seek a fresh start under new captain Upul Tharanga. Moreover, the series will also provide opportunity to the islanders to secure their place in the 2019 World Cup. Currently ranked eighth in the world, Sri Lanka need to win two games in the series to seal their World Cup spot.

India, on the other hand, will be keen to continue their winning momentum against a side which is very low on confidence.

Here is the playing eleven of both the teams:

India:

Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli(c), Lokesh Rahul, MS Dhoni(w), Kedar Jadhav, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Yuzvendra Chahal

Sri Lanka:

Niroshan Dickwella(w), Danushka Gunathilaka, Kusal Mendis, Upul Tharanga(c), Angelo Mathews, Chamara Kapugedera, Wanidu Hasaranga, Thisara Perera, Lakshan Sandakan, Vishwa Fernando, Lasith Malinga