[Watch] Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill share a light moment before taking the field during IND vs SL 1st ODI
Indian vice-captain Shubman Gill and senior batter Virat Kohli were seen having a fun chat before the first ODI against Sri Lanka on Friday, August 2. The first game of the three-match ODI series is being played at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
Kohli is making a return to the Indian side. He was last seen in action during the T20 World Cup 2024, which the Men in Blue won after defeating South Africa in the final in Barbados. The Indian veteran also announced his retirement from the shortest format of the game at the post-match presentation after winning the trophy.
Meanwhile, Shubman participated in a recently concluded T20I against Sri Lanka, which the visitors won 3-0.
Kohli and Gill share a great bond, which was on display before the first ODI as the players were getting ready to take the field. The two players were observed laughing and conversing joyfully.
Here’s the video of the moment:
The ODI series against Sri Lanka is India’s first of this year, as the begin preparations for the 2025 Champions Trophy.
Mohammed Siraj provides an early breakthrough for India
Sri Lanka's captain, Charith Asalanka, won the toss and chose to bat first. The hosts didn’t have a great start as Mohammed Siraj dismissed Avishka Fernando (1) in the third over of the Sri Lankan innings.
Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis stitched a 39-run partnership off 64 balls before the latter was trapped in front of the wickets as Shivam Dube got his maiden ODI wicket.
At the time of writing, Sri Lanka was 52/2 after 15 overs, with Pathum Nissanka (28) and Sadeera Samarawickrama (4) at the crease for the hosts.
Playing XI of both teams:
Sri Lanka - Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis (wk), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka (c), Janith Liyanage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Akila Dananjaya, Asitha Fernando, and Mohamed Shiraz.
India - Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, and Mohammed Siraj.