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After a comprehensive whitewash in the three-match T20 international series for India, albeit the last game coming down to a super over, the ICC World Cup runners’ up from 2023 continue their next 50-over cycle against a Sri Lankan side trying to rediscover some of their identity with a new coach and a new captain at the helm of their white-ball sides in Sanath Jayasuriya, on an interim basis, and Charith Asalanka respectively.
DATE/TIME: Friday 2nd August, 2024 – UK – 10:00am / INDIA – 2:30pm / US EST – 5:00am / US PST – 3:00am
VENUE: R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, Sri Lanka
WEATHER: 28c or 82.4 F with generally clear skies but a rain shower forecasted in the afternoon
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: UK – Sky Sports / INDIA – Sony Sport / US – WillowTV
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: UK – SkyGo / INDIA – Sony LIV app / US – WillowTV
SRI LANKA FORM: FINDING A FORMULA
The Sri Lankan squad for the ODI series is quite similar to the players that were selected for the T20Is. They endured a really tough ICC World Cup last year but performed well to reach the final of the Asia Cup before that – before then being hammered by India. Chamika Karunaratne and Wanindu Hasaranga, who missed out on the global 50-over tournament last year, are much-needed and welcome inclusions in the squad.
LAST FIVE: LWLWW
INDIA FORM: THE RETURN OF THE LEGENDS
The T20I side has begun to move to a newer generation under Gautam Gambhir after finally winning another ICC event in the ICC T20 World Cup last month but the ODI squad remains a lot more familiar to the casual cricket observer with Rohit Sharma returning as captain and Virat Kohli back in the mix alongside Kuldeep Yadav and KL Rahul. India were supreme at the World Cup last year, comfortably winning ten matches on the bounce before defeat to Australia.
LAST FIVE: WLWLW
SRI LANKA BETTING ANALYSIS
In the T20I series, Pathum Nissanka enjoyed an excellent set of matches and finished as the top run scorer on both teams with 137. The 26-year-old has found his feet at international level in the last 18 months and is an extremely exciting talent, averaging 45.48 in ODI cricket with three centuries. Backing him to once again be their best batter in this opening ODI looks a safe bet.
With the ball, the Sri Lankans have plenty of options but the longer white-ball format perhaps favours less variation, at least for the seamers at the top of the innings. Given that, backing either Matheesha Pathirana or Dilshan Madushanka to take two or more of the Indian wickets would seem a reasonable shout.
INDIA BETTING ANALYSIS
As mentioned, the ODI series signals the return of the likes of Kohli, Rahul and Sharma. The man to go for as the top run scorer in the match for the Indians, though, would have to be the first on that magnificent list. He struggled during the ICC T20 World Cup before finding some runs in the final and a new lease of life as a T20 world champion should propel the great into another stratosphere.
In the bowling department, India have a magnificent stock of fast bowlers but it would be worth backing the man who tore through them in the Asia Cup final last year and that is Mohammed Siraj. The fiery aggression he shows may well be something that unsettles some out of form players like Kusal Mendis.
SRI LANKA VS INDIA EXPERT PREDICTION
After winning a T20I series as world champions with a much-changed squad 3-0 away from home, it almost seems unfair that India can now prepare for an ODI series with an even better squad than what they had – but that is the impressive riches of the cricket development in India. Sri Lanka have home advantage, some gun players, especially with the bat like Nissanka, but a fourth Indian win out of four on their tour of Sri Lanka seems highly likely.
SRI LANKA VS INDIA TIP: INDIA TO WIN
