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The Indian National Cricket Team is on the cusp of making history as they prepare for the first ODI of their three-match series against Sri Lanka. Under the leadership of Rohit Sharma, Team India has a chance to set a record for the most victories against a single opponent in ODI cricket.
Following a commanding 3-0 T20I series win over Sri Lanka, the Men in Blue are set to take on the same team in the 50-over format. The opening ODI is scheduled to be held at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Friday, August 2, marking India’s first appearance in the format this year.
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are making their return to the field after a break following India’s triumph in the 2024 T20 World Cup. Although initially it was planned to rest the senior players, Rohit will lead the Indian ODI squad in Sri Lanka. Notably, Jasprit Bumrah has been rested for the current white-ball series against Sri Lanka.
Team India is on the brink of making history.
The Indian cricket team has achieved 99 wins in 168 ODIs against Sri Lanka, who triumphed in the 1996 World Cup. Following closely, Australia holds the second spot with 96 victories out of 142 ODIs against New Zealand. In third place, Pakistan has secured 93 wins in 157 ODIs against Sri Lanka.
Most Wins Against a Single Opponent in ODI Matches
– India vs. Sri Lanka: 99 wins
– Australia vs. New Zealand: 96 wins
– Pakistan vs. Sri Lanka: 93 wins
– Australia vs. England: 88 wins
– Australia vs. India: 84 wins
Rohit Sharma will captain Team India in the ODIs against Sri Lanka.
The Men in Blue are the favorites for the first ODI against Sri Lanka, set to take place in Colombo on Friday. In their previous ODI clash on Sri Lankan soil, India bowled out their opponents for just 50 runs. Additionally, India defeated Sri Lanka by 10 wickets in the Asia Cup 2023 final and secured a massive 302-run victory over them in a 2023 ODI World Cup group-stage match.
Rohit Sharma boasts an impressive record against Sri Lanka, including two double centuries, while Virat Kohli has accumulated 10 centuries against them in ODIs. Kohli is also on the brink of surpassing Sachin Tendulkar’s record for the fastest to 14,000 ODI runs, needing 152 more runs in the upcoming match.
India is currently weighing their options for the wicketkeeper position. KL Rahul has excelled in Rishabh Pant’s absence, with Pant having not played ODIs for nearly two years. Pant’s inclusion could offer a strategic advantage as the only left-hander in the top-order lineup. Rohit Sharma has indicated that the final XI will be confirmed at the toss.
Probable Indian XI: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul/Rishabh Pant, Shivam Dube/Riyan Parag, Axar Patel, Harshit Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Khaleel Ahmed/Arshdeep Singh
