Big picture – Too much catch and turn in Khettarama?
Where do ODIs sit in the world cricket rankings? The answer lies in India’s schedule: they have only one ODI series between their current tour of Sri Lanka and the Champions Trophy in February-March 2025.
It’s a strange time for mixed ODIs, and it’s still surprising in a series involving Sri Lanka, who haven’t even qualified for the Champions Trophy. It was fitting, then, that Friday produced a classic format, a twisted, slow-burning tie that showed – as last year’s World Cup did, time and time again – that ODIs remain a brilliant canvas for cricketing talent. It would be a pity if the future of sports does not preserve the important space of the format.
In the meantime, there are two more games left on the zany tour de force. After falling three times in a row in T20Is – 9 for 30, 7 for 31 and 7 for 22 – Sri Lanka will take confidence from the way they fought back from 101 for 5 in the first ODI on Friday, and will hope can push India for even more next two matches.
The third T20I in Pallekele and the first ODI in Colombo both showed that the spin-friendly conditions significantly reduce the quality gap between these teams. If Khettarama continues to catch and swing enough, who can say which way this series will tilt?
Sri Lanka TLWLW (last five completed ODIs, most recent being first)
India TWLWL
In the Light – Avishka Fernando and Washington Sundar
From the beginning of 2023, when he returns from a year-long injury, Avishka Fernando he hasn’t reached the heights he promised at the start of his ODI career. He averaged less than 20 over the past 19 months, and while that number included scores of 88 and 91 against Afghanistan, it also highlighted a tendency to get dismissed early, with nine of his 13 innings bringing him single-digit scores. Avishka finished LPL 2024 as his third highest run-scorer, however, with 374 runs at an average of 37.40 and a strike rate of 162.60, suggesting that a return to his international best may also be imminent.
Washington Sundar started the first ODI on a promising note, ripping his first ball past Charith Asalanka’s outside edge. However, he endured mixed benefits; he got the wicket of half-centurion Pathum Nissanka, but he was the most expensive of India’s three spinners, conceding 46 in his nine overs and conceding 31 from 34 balls to the left-hander, his best performance. He then dropped out of No. 5 after being promoted to No. 4. None of this will be held against him in normal times, because all cricketers pass these days, but Washington knows that he is third in line behind Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel. in India’s list of spin-bowlers leading up to the Champions Trophy, with Riyan Parag also waiting for a chance to show what he can do in ODIs.
Team news – will Khaleel or Harshit stand a chance?
Sri Lanka have the option of expanding their batting by bringing in Chamika Karunaratne for Mohamed Shiraz, although it seems unlikely that they will leave out the young fast bowler after just one match.
Sri Lanka (probable): 1 Pathum Nissanka, 2 Avishka Fernando, 3 Kusal Mendis (wk), 4 Sadeera Samarawickrama, 5 Charith Asalanka (capt), 6 Janith Liyanage, 7 Dunith Wellalage, 9 Wanindu Hasaranga, 9 Akila Dananjaya, Mohamed Shiraz, 10 11 Asitha Fernando
India, on the other hand, may look to give Mohammed Siraj, who has played in all three T20Is and the first ODI, a break, and give Khaleel Ahmed and Harshit Rana a chance to attack the pace.
India (probable): 1 Rohit Sharma (capt), 2 Shubman Gill, 3 Virat Kohli, 4 Shreyas Iyer, 5 KL Rahul (wk), 6 Shivam Dube, 7 Axar Patel, 8 Washington Sundar, 9 Kuldeep Yadav, 10 Mohammed Siraj, 11 Arshdeep Singh
Spinners took 13 out of 18 wickets in the first ODI, and this was not unusual for Khettarama. Since the start of 2022, spin has accounted for as many wickets here (101) as pace, and fast bowlers have returned a better average here (27.04) than spinners (28.82) in this period, too. expensive, up to 5.28 to 4.67 for runners. Expect similar scenes on Sunday, weather permitting: scattered showers are expected throughout the day.
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