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India is set to face Sri Lanka in the series-deciding final ODI at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Wednesday, August 7.
Team India (IND) is set to clash with the host team Sri Lanka (SL) in the third and final ODI of their three-match series at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Wednesday, August 7. Sri Lanka leads 1-0 after securing a 32-run victory in the second ODI.
At the toss, Sri Lankan captain Charith Asalanka opted to bat first. The hosts have made a significant change to their lineup, bringing in star spinner Maheesh Theekshana in place of Akila Dananjaya. Theekshana, who missed the earlier matches due to fitness issues, replaces Dananjaya, who had been playing in his stead.
India has also made some adjustments to their lineup for this crucial match. Wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul and left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh have been left out of the playing XI. In their place, middle-order batters Rishabh Pant and Riyan Parag have been included.
Riyan Parag, who made his T20I debut last month in Zimbabwe, is set to earn his first ODI cap, with Virat Kohli presenting him with the cap before the toss. For Rishabh Pant, this game is especially significant as it marks his return to ODI cricket after his last appearance on November 30, 2022.
“We are going to bat first. It looks same like the previous two ODIs. Theekshana comes in for Akila Dananjaya. Guys are doing very well, we are in a good position. I would like to see someone score a hundred on this pitch” Asalanka said at the toss.
Indian captain Rohit Sharma acknowledged the strong performance of the opposition in the previous two matches but expressed confidence heading into the final fixture. He emphasized the importance of teamwork to achieve victory.
Plenty to play for, we’ve been challenged in the last two matches. It’s clear as to what we need to do with the bat and ball. We’ve addressed it – what we need to do as a group. You got to give credit to the opposition, they played well and understood the position well. Another opportunity for us to correct. Two changes. We have Rishabh and Riyan Parag in place of KL and Arshdeep,” Sharma said at the toss.
India (Playing XI): Rohit Sharma(c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant(w), Shreyas Iyer, Riyan Parag, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj
Sri Lanka (Playing XI): Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis(w), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka(c), Janith Liyanage, Kamindu Mendis, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Asitha Fernando
