India was able to draw first blood in the series against Sri Lanka as they won the opening game convincingly by 67 runs at Guwahati. The home team will want to take an unassailable lead in the series whereas the visitors will want to stay afloat.
The opening game was set up by India’s top three as they gave a perfect platform to help the team reach a massive total of 373 runs. Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma added a fine opening partnership of 143 runs with the youngster scoring 70 and the veteran contributing 83.
Virat Kohli finished 2022 with a century against Bangladesh and kicked off 2023 with another hundred against Sri Lanka, scoring his 45th ODI ton. Kohli scored 113 runs as he batted at his absolute best.
On the other hand, Sri Lanka’s bowling was mundane but there were positives with the bat as Pathum Nissanka and Dasun Shanaka got among the runs. Sri Lanka will want more from their middle order in order to stay alive in the series.
Meanwhile, India should have wrapped up the game earlier after reducing Sri Lanka to 206-8 in the 38th over. However, the dew made it difficult for the bowlers at the fag end of the game.
Match Prediction: India will once again start as favorites against Sri Lanka as they have a potent team.
India’s ODI squad: Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Ishan Kishan (wk), Hardik Pandya (VC), Washington Sundar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Mohd. Shami, Mohd. Siraj, Umran Malik, Arshdeep Singh.
Sri Lanka ODI Squad: Dasun Shanaka (Captain), Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Kusal Mendis (Vice Captain), Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Wanindu Hasaranga, Ashen Bandara, Maheesh Theekshana, Chamika Karunaratne, Dilshan Madushanka, Kasun Rajitha, Nuwanidu Fernando, Dunith Wellalage, Pramod Madushan, Lahiru Kumara.
