India won the toss asked visitors, Sri Lanka, to bat first. After the first couple of overs, Sri Lanka have not lost a wicket and are 9 for no loss. After whitewashing hosts Sri Lanka in a decimating manner in the 3 Test series, Virat Kohli-led India will now put on their blues to take on a low-morale Sri Lanka, who will be led by a new skipper, Upul Tharanga. The hosts have recalled Lasith Malinga to their squad after a long gap, just goes to show the desperateness. The first One Day International will take place at Dambulla and the match starts at 14:30 hrs. For team India, Ravichandran Ashwin would be missing as he is on County duty, a part of giving exposure to him as India play England in their backyard in 2018. For Virat Kohli, this will be a chance to test new combinations, keeping in mind the cricket World Cup, which is 2 years away.
But all eyes will be on MS Dhoni, who has to perform or perish as MSK Prasad the Chairman has already said before. Yuvraj Singh and Suresh Raina have been sidelined and it would be very difficult for them to make a comeback into the squad again. Hence for Dhoni, it is time, he delivers big.
The Sri Lanka, they start underdogs against India. It is a chance for a couple of youngsters to make a name for themselves and inspire others for the future.
Weather conditions:
The weather is expected to be cloudy, but fine, with temperatures reaching a high of around 31C during the day.
Some big shots and a pep talk to wrap up the training session – @imVkohli @RaviShastriOfc #SLvIND #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/FvjaSgfem2
— BCCI (@BCCI) August 20, 2017
CAPTAIN’S CORNER:
“This will be an important series as we are ranked eighth [with a chance of failing to automatically qualify for the World Cup]. India have been very consistent in the last three-four years, but we have confidence having beaten them in the Champions Trophy when no one thought we would.”
Sri Lanka captain Upul Tharanga
“I don’t see this pitch having three spinners. I have played here in the past. It’s probably a three-fast-bowlers kind of pitch. Hardik Pandya does the role for us as a third seamer, and he is good enough to give us seven or eight overs.”
India captain Virat Kohli on the Dambulla surface
Back to business in the plains of the Emerald Isle @imVkohli #SLvIND pic.twitter.com/H1ORLSTtVs
— Ravi Shastri (@RaviShastriOfc) August 20, 2017
Squads:
India (possible): 1 Rohit Sharma, 2 Shikhar Dhawan, 3 Virat Kohli (capt.), 4 KL Rahul, 5 MS Dhoni (wk), 6 Kedar Jadhav, 7 Hardik Pandya, 8 Axar Patel/Yuzvendra Chahal, 9 Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 10 Kuldeep Yadav, 11 Jasprit Bumrah
Sri Lanka (possible): 1 Niroshan Dickwella (wk), 2 Danushka Gunathilaka, 3 Kusal Mendis, 4 Upul Tharanga (capt.), 5 Angelo Mathews, 6 Chamara Kapugedara, 7 Wanindu Hasaranga, 8 Thisara Perera, 9 Akila Dananjaya, 10 Lasith Malinga, 11 Dushmantha Chameera
All set for today’s game against Sri Lanka _ #BleedBlue_ #JaiMataDi__ pic.twitter.com/LFfWWJVcGI
— yuZvendra Chahal23 (@yuzi_chahal) August 20, 2017
Here’s how the pitch looks for the 1st ODI at Dambulla #SLvIND pic.twitter.com/AfQ2KiBXjQ
— BCCI (@BCCI) August 20, 2017
Where to watch live
India vs Sri Lanka 1st ODI is scheduled for 2.30pm local time, 2.30pm IST, 10am BST, 5am ET. Here is the live TV and streaming options.
India: TV: Sony Ten 3, Sony Ten 3 HD, Sony Six, Sony Six HD. Live Streaming: Sonyliv.
Who is your Running Buddy? @hardikpandya7 with @msdhoni #TeamIndia #SLvIND pic.twitter.com/3FYbbcr1EP
— BCCI (@BCCI) August 20, 2017
Sri Lanka and Indian sub-continent: TV: Sony Ten.
South Africa: TV: Super Sport Twelve. Live Streaming: SuperSport Video
USA: TV: Willow TV. Live Streaming: Willow TV Online.
