As expected, the T20I series between India and Sri Lanka was an exciting contest. The first 2 T20Is, especially, went down the wire. Sri Lanka, despite a narrow loss in the first match, came back strongly to make it 1-1 in Pune but Suryakumar Yadav became the big difference in the third and decisive T20I as India clinched the series 2 -1. Sri Lanka’s tour of India now moves to Guwahati for the ODI series, the first of which is to be played in the lovely city of Assam.
The pleasing thing from India’s perspective is that captain Rohit Sharma is coming back from his thumb injury. Not to forget, the amazing Jasprit Bumrah returns too. There have been a lot of talk around Bumrah’s comeback and rightly so. He remains a key figure in the Indian dressing room and honestly, his absence has been felt in past few tournaments. It was important for Bumrah to return as soon as possible knowing how big a home season this is for India. The fact that Bumrah has not played any competitive cricket since late September is also a concern. He needed some match time before the series vs New Zealand and then the Australians. This series comes at a perfect time for him to make a comeback.
We have talked at length previously about riches India have. There is abundance of talent and the sweet headache for the management is to make the right choices as only the best 11 can play on a given day. Even in this series, the management will be looking to try out as many players as possible as we have seen in the recent past.
Rohit must be under a lot of pressure as he has not been among runs of late. The skipper needs to get into a groove and get things moving given that Black Caps and Aussies are just around the corner. Some runs against the Lankans will set the mood for the home season as far as the Indian captain is concerned. I like that Mohammed Shami is back too as it strengthens Indian pace department. The fast bowling now is a good mix of youth and experience: Shami, Bumrah, Arshdeep and Umran Malik. That is a tempting quartet. Will they all play together is a big question though. At the same time, what a bench to pick from.
This is another series where my eyes will be on the Indian youngsters who will challenge and fight for places in this ageing Indian side with so many players on the other side of 30s. Arshdeep, who had a big trouble with no-balls recently, should be itching to do well in the ODIs. He is a quality bowler and these things can happen to best of us. I am sure he will only learn and grow from here.
Another key decision the Indian management will have to take will be on the new opening pair. Ishan Kishan, Shubman Gill are two main options. Don’t think KL Rahul is still a contender for the top spot after he was fit into the middle order and where he has done well too. Wi ll Kishan go at the top to make it a right hand-left hand combination? Or will Team India stick with Gill as he has done no wrong to get dropped?
Umran will be another player to watch out for. He bowled well in the T20I series and with World Cup coming up later this year, his progress will be important and needs to be played as much as possible. The one good thing about him is that without dropping pace, he has learned to bowl regularly in right areas.
When I look at the other side of the fence, Sri Lanka need help from their senior pros to come good in the ODI series. The likes of Dasun Shanaka, Kusal Mendis, and to some extent Charith Asalanka, Chamika Karunaratne need to step up. Shanaka has led his side well and has been among runs too. He has led them well and needs to motivate this side through his leadership to topple this brilliant and dominant Indian side.
The combinations that Sri Lanka make will be crucial. They have many options to choose from and they need to keep an eye on the future as well. There are some young faces in Sri Lankan side who need to be given a chance and a long rope. Jeffrey Vandersay, Dunith Wellalage and Maheesh Theekshana are all very talented and exciting. The islanders need to ensure they get to play as much as possible before the World Cup this year.
I will be fascinated to see the team combinations from both the sides for first ODI of this short and punchy series as it will reveal their fifty-over plans in this World Cup cycle. India surely start as favourites as they are playing at home and the momentum is with them after winning the T20I series. Also, with so many big players making a comeback, they will be hard to stop but that is a challenge that Shanaka-led Lankans should relish and not feel daunted by.
