5 experiments India should try in ODI series against Sri Lanka
With Virat Kohli rested for the ODI series, India will go up against Sri Lanka without their leading run-getter in the calendar year. Rohit Sharma will captain India for the first time, with a middle-order that loses a large chunk of experience in the absence of Kohli. There will be a few important changes to the line-up as India look to settle on what works for them going into the tour against Sri Lanka.
With Sri Lanka currently on a 12-game losing streak in ODIs, India have the ideal opportunity to experiment while ensuring that they don't compromise on winning the game. There are a few different things that India can try with their line-up, their composition and how they approach the three-match series.
Here are 5 experiments India should try in ODI series against Sri Lanka:
Have MS Dhoni come in at No.4
MS Dhoni continues to have his fair share of critics despite posting very good numbers in 2017. He has over 700 runs this year in ODIs at an average of 65. Yet many believe that No.4 is where he should be batting. A career ODI average of nearly 60 at No.4 certainly strengthens that belief.
In a career that saw him essay the role of the finisher for a vast majority of the time, many believe that he should be able to close out his career in a position that suits him, having put the team above himself throughout his career.
In the absence of Virat Kohli, promoting Dhoni to No.4 will also stabilise the middle-order and give it some much-needed experience.
And it will also give the opportunity to...