India hitting on trial method

Dambulla, August 19

India will begin the journey to identify the core of their 2019 World Cup squad when they square off against Sri Lanka in a five-match ODI series starting here tomorrow.

The visitors won the three-Test series with a 3-0 whitewash of Sri Lanka and will look to take that momentum into the limited-overs game. However, India are not treating this as just another bilateral ODI series. Chief selector MSK Prasad clearly outlined this, stressing on the aspect of fitness as Team India begins its preparations for the 2019 ODI World Cup in England.

Rahul to bat at No. 4

The first step in that direction is the declaration that KL Rahul will bat at No. 4 in this five-match contest. 

The team management hopes this will prove to be a long-term move, ending the instability that has been associated with the No. 4 spot since the 2015 ODI World Cup when Ajinkya Rahane relinquished the position after an average showing.

Settled top

Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma will continue to open the innings with Rahane as the third-choice opener, given the presence of Manish Pandey and Kedar Jadhav in the squad. With MS Dhoni occupying the No. 5 spot and Hardik Pandya taking the all-rounder’s role at No. 7, both Pandey and Jadhav will be vying for that No. 6 spot.

The Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium hasn’t been a happy hunting ground for the Men in Blue, though. They have played 17 ODIs here, stretching back to 2004, and won nine of those matches, including bilateral and triangular series (in 2005 and 2010 involving West Indies and New Zealand, respectively), and two Asia Cups in 2004 and 2010. Head-to-head against Sri Lanka, India have played 11 ODIs at this venue, winning only four of them.

Bowling attack

India’s full-time bowling combination looks settled, with Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah expected to lead the attack. Kuldeep Yadav has proven himself to be the captain’s frontline spin choice, and the second spinner’s toss-up will be between Axar Patel and Yuzvendra Chahal.

Skipper Upul Tharanga will have his task cut out ahead of the challenge. But he will be buoyed by the fact that this side did manage to upset the Indian applecart in their last ODI match, played in the Champions Trophy in London in June. — PTI

SL need two wins in series for direct WC entry 

For Sri Lanka, this series is more than just a matter of saving face after their heavy loss in the Test series. The hosts need two more ODI wins to confirm their spot in the 2019 ODI World Cup through automatic qualification. If they do manage this feat against India in the series, they will move to 90 points and then West Indies will not be able to overtake them in the rankings even if they win all the six ODIs against Ireland and England (taking their points from current 78 to 88) before the September 30 deadline. — PTI

14 Matches India have won out of the last 18 ODIs they have played against Sri Lank

64.33 Dhoni’s average with a strike-rate of 86 in ODIs in 2017