Is Rishabh Pant playing today’s IND vs SL 2024 1st ODI? 

Rishabh Pant will not be taking part in the first ODI between India and Sri Lanka at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, to be played on Friday (August 2). Pant is part of the ODI squad for the first time since November 2022. The left-handed keeper batter last played an ODI against New Zealand back in 2022 before suffering a horrible accident and missing out on cricketing action completely for a long time.

Pant is now fit and fine and has had a good 2024. He was part of the Delhi Capitals this year as well the team that won the ICC Men's T20 World Cup. With the bat, he has played a few knocks worthy of note this year, with a crucial 42 runs against arch-rivals Pakistan to help win the game.

The Delhi Capitals skipper was left out of the ODI playing XI vs Sri Lanka in favor of KL Rahul, who will be playing as a wicketkeeper-batter. The Karnataka batter has been in pristine touch in the format, enjoying an eventful 2023. Across 28 games, Rahul managed to score 1060 runs, with a high score of 111 not out. With the gloves, he was one of the best wicket-keepers in the Men's World Cup 2023, effecting 17 dismissals from behind the wickets and scoring 452 runs.

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Sri Lanka have won the toss and have elected to bat first

Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to bat first in the first ODI at R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo. Speaking at the toss, India captain Rohit Sharma said:

"This looks a decent wicket, so let's see how things pan out. As far as changes go, I'm back! So is Virat Kohli! We had a great T20 World Cup. We can take a lot of pride from that tournament. Some of the boys played really well in Zimbabwe. We want to play with freedom and the dressing room atmosphere is such that we allow players to play with freedom. I won't be bowling, that's for sure! We have bowlers who can do the job for us!"

Team India will be donning black armbands to pay their respects to former national coach Anshuman Gaekwad, who passed away on July 31.

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