India rested five regular players – Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni, Hardik Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah. In Kohli’s absence, Rohit Sharma will lead the side, while Washington Sundar, Deepak Hooda, Mohammed Siraj, Vijay Shankar and Rishabh Pant included in the team for tri-nation series. The Sri Lankan selection panel have dropped Niroshan Dickwella from the squad for the Nidahas Trophy, will be led by Dinesh Chandimal in Angelo Mathews’s absence.
While India hit the nets at full tilt despite the unrelenting humidity of Colombo, the hosts didn't push themselves much. However, there would be no dearth of competition from them with the returning Kusal Perera adding meat to their composition even though they chose to drop Niroshan Dickwella following his indifferent form. Whether or not Kusal Mendis will continue to open still remains under wraps. His recent twin fifties in Bangladesh though make him one of the forces to reckon with.
What to expect: The humidity levels are only going to get worse as it shoots up to 79 percent on match day with the skies being partly cloudy. Although, all games are scheduled to be played under lights, the stickiness in the weather will challenge the players in the middle.
Team News:
India
What to expect: The humidity levels are only going to get worse as it shoots up to 79 percent on match day with the skies being partly cloudy. Although, all games are scheduled to be played under lights, the stickiness in the weather will challenge the players in the middle.
Team News:
India
The Indian contingent didn't leave any stone unturned in the practice sessions on the match day. While Rohit, Dhawan and Rahul took the first hit in the three nets facility in the stadium complex, Suresh Raina was the next to knock a few. With doubts lingering over the bowling makeup, Vijay Shankar bowling at full threshold for close to an hour makes for a case to study. Jaydev Unadkat and Axar Patel were the usual suspects, with the latter certain to start having spent his time on the sidelines with wristspinners having taken precedence earlier. Washington Sundar too had a long toil, hinting at India's intentions of keeping themselves spin-heavy.
Probable XI: Rohit Sharma (c), Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul, Suresh Raina, Manish Pandey, Dinesh Karthik, Vijay Shankar/Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Shardul Thakur, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jaydev Unadkat
Sri Lanka
With Dickwella ignored for the series, Kusal Perera is set to take over the wicketkeeping duties on Tuesday. Apart from that, the hosts might not look to tinker much with their composition, especially after the head coach Chandika Hathurusingha touched upon on the importance of 'starting well'.
Probable XI: Rohit Sharma (c), Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul, Suresh Raina, Manish Pandey, Dinesh Karthik, Vijay Shankar/Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Shardul Thakur, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jaydev Unadkat
Sri Lanka
With Dickwella ignored for the series, Kusal Perera is set to take over the wicketkeeping duties on Tuesday. Apart from that, the hosts might not look to tinker much with their composition, especially after the head coach Chandika Hathurusingha touched upon on the importance of 'starting well'.
Probable XI: Upul Tharanga, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Dinesh Chandimal (c), Dhananjaya de Silva, Thisara Perera, Dasun Shanaka, Jeevan Mendis, Akila Dananjaya, Suranga Lakmal, Nuwan Pradeep
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