After smashing the Sri Lankan cricket team by 3-0 at their home in Tests, Virat Kohli & Co. are all set to take on their neighbours in the 5-match ODI series starting from August 20 in Dambulla. The Indian captain will be looking forward to another series victory while the home side has a fair chance of making a comeback. Players like Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Shardul Thakur, Yuzvendra Chahal, Axar Patel and Jasprit Bumrah have joined the team while many of them were spotted sweating at the nets.
Throughout the entire series, the eyes will be on this 36-year-old former Indian captain whose presence in the team has become highly debatable. He has been under a huge pressure to perform with his bat for quite some time now. Also, chief selector, MSK Prasad has made it clear that he will be in the squad until his bat speaks.
Meanwhile, wicket-Keeper MS Dhoni was seen practising his shots in the nets ahead of the first match. Last time he played against Sri Lanka in the 2nd game of the ICC Champions Trophy 2017, where he scored a half-century. And this time too he has been expected to score well when he is needed to do so.
MS Dhoni walks out to join India’s training at Dambulla. #SLvIND @IExpressSports pic.twitter.com/dydgV6sGqr
— Shamik Chakrabarty (@shamik100) August 18, 2017
Besides MS, skipper Virat Kohli had a moment to try out some deliveries
Along with MS Dhoni, both the openers of the team – Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma were also trying out some of the shots at the nets.
Dhawan and Rohit at the nets. #SLvIND @IExpressSports pic.twitter.com/fPtLjlQ0DN
— Shamik Chakrabarty (@shamik100) August 18, 2017
Apart from this batting practice, the team warmed up themselves by playing a foot ball game during the practice session.
It was @imVkohli vs @msdhoni vs @klrahul11 at the football today. #SLvIND pic.twitter.com/mEc6iWiES7
— BCCI (@BCCI) August 18, 2017
On the other hand, the Upul Tharanga-led Sri Lankan team has to win at least two games in the series for getting directly qualified for the World Cup 2019. The cut-off date for direct qualification is September 30.
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