SL vs IND: India’s best playing XI for the ODI series against Sri Lanka

India will play three ODIs against Sri Lanka between August 2 and 7, following the conclusion of their T20I series. All three ODIs are scheduled to take place at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.

India’s transition and successful T20I series

Having undergone significant changes to the squad, India started their new era with a thumping series victory over Sri Lanka. The Indian team won the first two games of the three-match T20I series convincingly. In the final game, they pulled off a dramatic victory, clinching the match in a thrilling superover, thereby completing a successful whitewash of the hosts. This victory under the captaincy of Suryakumar Yadav set a positive tone for the team as they transition into a new phase.

ODI squad changes and player arrivals

The upcoming ODI series at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo promises to be an exciting contest with several key players participating. The Indian team will feature prominent names like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Kuldeep Yadav. In a notable move, Shreyas Iyer, who had been previously omitted from the BCCI’s annual contract list, has been recalled to the ODI squad along with KL Rahul. This series will be an important opportunity for these players to showcase their skills and contribute to the team’s success ahead of the all important Champions Trophy 2025.

Also READ: Rohit Sharma’s reaction to India’s T20I series sweep over Sri Lanka goes viral

India’s top-choice playing XI for the ODI series against Sri Lanka:

1. Rohit Sharma (C)
   • Role: Opening Batter, Captain
   • Strengths:
     • Experience: Over 250 ODIs, providing valuable insights and calm under pressure.
     • Consistency: High average with multiple centuries and double centuries in ODIs.
     • Big innings player: Known for converting starts into big scores.
     • Leadership: Proven track record as a successful captain in various formats.
   • Weaknesses:
     • Early swing: Can be vulnerable to high-quality swing bowling in initial overs.
     • Fitness: Occasional fitness issues have affected continuity.
   • Importance: Key to providing strong starts and guiding the team with his captaincy.
2. Shubman Gill (VC)
   • Role: Opening Batter, Vice-Captain
   • Strengths:
     • Technique: Solid technique against both pace and spin.
     • Composure: Calm under pressure, good temperament.
     • Fielding: Agile and sharp in the field, saving crucial runs.
   • Weaknesses:
     • Consistency: Still developing consistency at the international level.
     • Experience: Relatively less experienced in high-pressure situations.
   • Importance: A promising young talent who can build solid foundations for the innings.
3. Virat Kohli
   • Role: Top-order Batter
   • Strengths:
     • Run-machine: Over 12,000 ODI runs with a high average.
     • Chasing expert: Exceptional record while chasing targets.
     • Fitness: Extremely fit, maintaining high performance levels.
   • Weaknesses:
     • Form fluctuation: Recent struggles with form due to lack of match practice
     • Short-pitched deliveries: Occasional vulnerability to well-directed short balls.
   • Importance: The backbone of India’s batting lineup, crucial for building and chasing totals.
4. KL Rahul (WK)
   • Role: Middle-order Batter, Wicketkeeper
   • Strengths:
     • Versatility: Ability to bat at various positions and adapt to different roles.
     • Wicketkeeping: Reliable behind the stumps, providing flexibility.
     • Technique: Solid against both pace and spin.
   • Weaknesses:
     • Injuries: Has had interruptions due to injuries affecting form.
     • Consistency: Needs to maintain a consistent performance.
   • Importance: Adds depth to the batting order and offers a backup wicketkeeping option.
5. Shreyas Iyer
   • Role: Middle-order Batter
   • Strengths:
     • Aggressive batting: Capable of accelerating the scoring rate.
     • Play against spin: Proficient in handling spin bowling.
     • Fielding: Excellent infield, contributing to saving runs.
   • Weaknesses:
     • Short-pitched deliveries: Susceptible to well-directed bouncers.
     • Injury recovery: Needs to prove fitness and form post-injury.
   • Importance: Vital for stabilizing the middle order and providing momentum in the innings.
6. Shivam Dube
   • Role: All-rounder
   • Strengths:
     • Big-hitting: Known for clearing boundaries with ease.
     • Bowling: Handy medium pace can provide breakthroughs.
     • Flexibility: Can bat in various positions.
   • Weaknesses:
     • Consistency: Needs to be more consistent with both bat and ball.
     • Bowling economy: Can leak runs if not on target.
   • Importance: Provides balance to the team with his all-round capabilities.
7. Axar Patel
   • Role: All-rounder
   • Strengths:
     • Bowling: Economical left-arm spin, effective in middle overs.
     • Batting: Capable lower-order batter who can score quickly.
     • Fielding: Strong arm and safe pair of hands.
   • Weaknesses:
     • Pressure situations: Batting can be inconsistent under pressure.
     • Match impact: Needs to create more impact in crucial matches.
   • Importance: Adds depth to both the bowling and batting departments.
8. Kuldeep Yadav
   • Role: Spinner
   • Strengths:
     • Wrist spin: Can take wickets in clusters, especially in middle overs.
     • Variation: Good variety in his deliveries, making it hard for batters to pick.
   • Weaknesses:
     • Economy rate: Can be expensive on off-days.
     • Confidence: Needs support and confidence from the captain.
   • Importance: Key wicket-taker, crucial for breaking partnerships.
9. Mohammed Siraj
   • Role: Fast Bowler
   • Strengths:
     • Pace: Can generate good pace and bounce.
     • Swing: Effective in swinging the new ball.
     • Aggression: Brings intensity and aggression to the bowling attack.
   • Weaknesses:
     • Control: Can be erratic and leak runs.
     • Death overs: Needs to improve in death overs.
   • Importance: Spearhead of the pace attack, vital for early breakthroughs.
10. Arshdeep Singh
    • Role: Fast Bowler
    • Strengths:
      • Left-arm angle: Adds variety to the bowling attack.
      • Death bowling: Effective in the death overs with yorkers.
    • Weaknesses:
      • Experience: Lack of experience in ODIs.
      • Consistency: Needs to develop consistency.
    • Importance: Provides variety and is crucial in the death overs.
11. Khaleel Ahmed
    • Role: Fast Bowler
    • Strengths:
      • Swing: Can swing the ball both ways.
      • Left-arm pace: Adds variety to the pace attack.
    • Weaknesses:
      • Inconsistency: Needs to maintain performance levels.
      • Fitness: Occasional fitness issues.
    • Importance: Adds depth and variety to the bowling attack.

Bench Players

• Rishabh Pant (WK):
  • Role: Wicketkeeper-batter
  • Strengths: Explosive batting, good wicketkeeping skills.
  • Weaknesses: Inconsistent form.
  • Importance: Provides an alternative wicketkeeping option and adds explosive batting.
• Washington Sundar:
  • Role: All-rounder
  • Strengths: Off-spin bowling, handy lower-order batter.
  • Weaknesses: Needs to improve batting consistency.
  • Importance: Offers off-spin and lower-order batting depth.
• Riyan Parag:
  • Role: All-rounder
  • Strengths: Talented young batter, useful part-time bowler.
  • Weaknesses: Lack of experience.
  • Importance: Young talent with potential, useful as a backup option.
• Harshit Rana:
  • Role: Fast Bowler
  • Strengths: Pace and bounce.
  • Weaknesses: Inexperience.
  • Importance: Provides an additional pace-bowling option.

Also READ: SL vs IND: Fans spark meme fest as Sanju Samson registers back-to-back ducks in the T20I series

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