Picking a combined India-Sri Lanka playing 11 for the ODI series ft. Virat Kohli and Maheesh Theekshana
As far as cricketing relations go, India and Sri Lanka might be on the top due to the sheer volume of series they play against each other. For fans of the two nations, it feels like there are three of these every year.
These are often neatly timed. Like, this time, the three ODIs that begin at the R. Premadasa Stadium on Thursday, will kickstart the two teams' preparations for the 2025 Champions Trophy after their contrasting returns at the 2024 T20 World Cup.
In the lead-up to the series, we have picked up a combined 11 of the two teams.
Top-order: Rohit Sharma, Pathum Nissanka and Virat Kohli
This is the easiest choice in this 11. Indian captain Rohit Sharma and senior batter Virat Kohli are returning to the team after a few weeks of break and would straightaway slot into this combined team. Rohit will also take the captaincy armband.
For Rohit's partner, Pathum Nissanka is a better choice than India's young options like Shubman Gill. The latter is talented and promising but Nissanka has established himself as one of the best openers in ODIs and is the highest run-scorer in the format since 2022.
Middle-order: Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Charith Asalanka and Wanindu Hasaranga
From India's ODI World Cup runners-up squad, the successful number four-five pairing of Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul will retain their place in this 11. Sri Lanka's middle order is quite unsettled in comparison.
Rahul will take the gloves, hoping to carry on from his superb performances behind the wickets at the World Cup.
For number six, which was not India's strong suit at the World Cup, Sri Lankan captain Charith Asalanka would be the perfect fit.
For a long time, Asalanka has been the Lankans' savior after collapses with the ability to turn games around with his maturity and hitting ability in the lower order. He also offers a lot with the ball.
Asalanka will be followed by spin all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga. He's one of the best leggies in the world and can also hit it big in the final few overs (with a strike rate of 134 in the last 10), making him a special player.
Bowlers: Kuldeep Yadav, Maheesh Theekshana, Mohammed Siraj and Arshdeep Singh
As the series is in Sri Lanka, we can easily go for a spin-heavy attack. Joining Theekshana would be India's best bowler in the last two years, Kuldeep Yadav and his Sri Lankan counterpart Maheesh Theekshana.
Their rare left-arm wrist spin and right-arm mixed spin skills, respectively, will make it one of the most daunting attacks in the world.
The seam attack would comprise of India's Mohammed Siraj and Arshdeep Singh. Sri Lanka's best two pacers, Matheesha Pathirana and Dilshan Madushanka would have had a good shout but both have been ruled out of the series due to injuries. Siraj and Arshdeep will offer good new ball skills and decent defense at the death too.