India vs Sri Lanka, 1st ODI: Toss result and playing XIs for today's match, umpires list and pitch report
Having clinched the three-match T20I series by a 2-1 margin, Team India have now shifted their focus to the ODIs against the Sri Lankans. The three-match rubber begins with the opening ODI at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati on Tuesday (January 10). The games will be significant in the wake of the 50-over World Cup that will be played in India later in the year.
The Sri Lanka ODIs could mark the beginning of a new era in Indian cricket, with Shikhar Dhawan getting dropped from the team. There's a high chance that the dynamic opening combo of Dhawan and Rohit Sharma will not open for India again. On a related note, captain Rohit confirmed at a press conference on Monday that Shubman Gill would open the innings with him.
The decision to drop Ishan Kishan has led to a debate, as the left-hander scored a double hundred in Bangladesh - the fastest in men’s ODIs - in Gill’s absence. The Men in Blue will also be without lead pacer Jasprit Bumrah, who was added to the one-day squad, only to be ruled out again.
Today's IND vs SL toss result
Sri Lanka have won the toss and decided to field first. Speaking about the decision, captain Dasun Shanaka said the obvious:
“We are going to bowl first. It’s because of the dew at night.”
Dasun Shanaka won the toss and Sri Lanka will bowl first 🏏
#CricketTwitter #indvssl https://t.co/swjowmjBO4
Dilshan Madushanka has been handed his ODI debut, while Dunith Wellalage comes into the playing XI ahead of Maheesh Theekshana.
As Rohit Sharma hinted in the pre-match conference, India have gone with Shubman Gill ahead of Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer ahead of Suryakumar Yadav.
IND vs SL - Today's match playing XIs
India: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (w), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Mohammed Shami, Umran Malik, Mohammed Siraj, Yuzvendra Chahal
Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis (w), Avishka Fernando, Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka (c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Dunith Wellalage, Kasun Rajitha, Dilshan Madushanka
Today's IND vs SL pitch report
According to Ajit Agarkar and Deep Dasgupta, there isn't a lot of live grass, and the grass has been rolled in. A few cracks are present, but they might not come into play under lights.
Dew could be a huge factor, so the team fielding second could have a tough time. The pitch will be a little abrasive during the day, and batting will be easier in the second innings.
Today's IND vs SL match players list
India squad: Rohit Sharma (c), KL Rahul (wk), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer, Hardik Pandya, Washington Sundar, Mohammed Siraj, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Ishan Kishan, Arshdeep Singh, Umran Malik
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🏻Time to shift focus to the ODIs 💪🏻
#TeamIndia all in readiness for the #INDvSL ODI series opener 👌🏻👌🏻
@mastercardindia https://t.co/2NIR6tNU7t
Sri Lanka squad: Kusal Mendis (wk), Dasun Shanaka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Dilshan Madushanka, Lahiru Kumara, Ashen Bandara, Nuwanidu Fernando, Pramod Madushan, Dunith Wellalage, Kasun Rajitha, Jeffrey Vandersay, Sadeera Samarawickrama
IND vs SL - Today's match umpires
On-field umpires: Nitin Menon, Anil Kumar Chaudhary
TV umpire: KN Ananthapadmanabhan
Match Referee: Javagal Srinath