Can Thisara’s men halt the purge of losses
Yohan Bhasura reporting from Dharamsala, India
The Sri Lanka ODI team reached Dharamsala two days prior to their first game against India
After two successive 5-0 whitewashes, Sri Lanka will eye for a change of fortunes when the three-match ODI series against India kicks off at India’s most scenic and clean venue—Dharamsala in the backdrop of the pristine Dhauladhar Range in India.
Sri Lanka has endured a tough time in ODI cricket, having conceded 12 matches on the trot and a special effort is needed from the islanders to avoid further humiliation against marauding hosts. A 3-0 win over Sri Lanka will help them top the World Rankings, dethroning South Africa.
The return of all-rounders Angelo Mathews and Asela Gunaratne will serve as a stimulus to an otherwise completely different team who find themselves in the middle of a horror patch.
The last time Sri Lanka faced India in the one-dayer’s Kohli’s men swept the series 5-0 and even without their inspirational captain Kohli (He has taken a break from cricket) India looks a formidable side. In Kohli’s absence, Rohit Sharma will lead the side.
Having won five straight bi-lateral series baring the Champions Trophy, India will look to extend their winning dominance in the short series.
“Angelo’s (Mathews) presence is a huge boost for us,” said skipper Thisara Perera who is making his first appearance as ODI captain. “He did not bowl in Tests but he is fit and ready to bowl in ODI and that put us in a real advantage in balancing the team.
“We have had a couple of training sessions here since arriving here and I think the boys are in great shape to put up a good fight and win the game,” he added.
The former skipper, Mathews has had a difficult year battling injuries more often than not and decided to step down as skipper after Sri Lanka conceded a rare ODI series defeat to Zimbabwe at home. He was part of the national team during the home series against India but an injury forced him out of the Pakistan series.
With Danushka Gunathilaka returning to the side, having missed the Pakistan series due to disciplinary reasons, the opening slot is locked with Gunathilaka and Upul Tharanga who was sacked as captain just days back.
Sadeera Samarawickrema or Lahiru Thirimanne is likely to bat at the number three position, followed by Angelo Mathews. Niroshan Dickwella who was setting himself as a regular opener is expected to bat at number 5, followed by Asela Gunaratne, Thisara Perera and either Sachith Pathirana or Chathuranga de Silva—two spinning all-rounders in the side.
Akila Dananjaya will be Sri Lanka’s key spinner while Suranga Lakmal and Nuwan Pradeep will form the two-man fast-bowling unit. Meanwhile team manager Asanka Gurusinha confirmed even though Kusal Perera traveled with the team, he is not a part of the 15-man squad. Perera was not part of the 15-man squad which was sent for Sports Ministry approval but was later added as the 16th man on request from
Sri Lanka Cricket.
Dananjaya de Silva who had a retired hurt after making a match saving century in the third Test in Delhi is doubtful for the entire series.
“He will definitely miss the opening match but we are hoping that he will recover in time for the next two-matches,” team manager Asanka Gurusinha said.
Dhananjaya, retired hurt on 119 due to muscle stiffness during the third Test and did not attend the training session on Saturday.
Meanwhile, team manager said team’s batting Coach Thilan Samaraweera is indisposed and did not attend training.
Teams
- India: Rohit Sharma (Captain), Shikhar Dhawan, Ajinkya Rahane, Shreyas Iyer, Manish Pandey, Kedar Jadhav, Dinesh Karthik, MS Dhoni (WK), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Siddarth Kaul.
- Sri Lanka: Thisara Perera (capt), Upul Tharanga, Danushka Gunathilaka, Lahiru Thirimanne, Angelo Mathews, Asela Gunaratne, Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Chaturanga de Silva, Akila Dananjaya, Suranga Lakmal, Nuwan Pradeep, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dushmantha Chameera, Sachith Pathirana, Kusal Perera.
Match starts at 11:30am