Sri Lanka vs India 1st ODI, Predicted XI: Rohit Kohli return after eight months

After whitewashing Sri Lanka in the three-match T20I series, team India will look to continue their winning momentum.

They take on the hosts in the first ODI on Friday, August 2 at R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo. The series will be extremely crucial for the Men in Blue as they’re playing just six ODIs in the lead up to the Champions Trophy 2025.

It also marks the beginning of a new chapter in Indian cricket with the new head coach Gautam Gambhir working with the senior players for the first time. India captain Rohit Sharma and star batter Virat Kohli will be making their return to ODIs after eight months.

India will have a key place to fill in the absence of all-rounder Hardik Pandya as Shivam Dube will be expected to give a good finish to the innings and also bowl crucial overs in the middle phase.

KL Rahul or Rishabh Pant?

The team management will also face a conundrum between wicketkeeper batters KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant. Pant will be making his comeback to the 50-over format after a long gap of 20 months as he missed all the action in 2023 post his horrific car crash.

On the other hand, KL Rahul played a major role in India’s dream campaign in the ODI World Cup 2023 scoring 452 runs from ten innings at an average of 75.33 and a strike rate of 90.76. The team management might also look to bring in two spin all-rounders in Axar Patel and Washington Sundar along with Kuldeep Yadav. The seam attack will be filled by Mohammed Siraj and Arshdeep Singh.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka have been rocked by injuries to their fast bowlers Matheesha Pathirana and Dilshan Madushanka who have been replaced by Mohammed Shiraz and Eshan Malinga. However, the rest of the XI is going to feature the usual players for the hosts with Chamika Karunaratne and Asitha Fernando filling up as seam bowlers.

India’s Playing XI – Rohit Sharma(c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant(wk)/KL Rahul (wk), Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh

Sri Lanka’s Playing XI – Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis (wk), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka (C), Janith Liyanage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Asitha Fernando