India vs Sri Lanka: First ODI

India defeated Sri Lanka by seven wickets in the first One-Day International (ODI) to take 1-0 lead in the three-match series on Sunday. Stand-in skipper Shikhar Dhawan led from the front with an unbeaten knock of 86 and he was well supported by Prithvi Shaw (43) and Ishan Kishan (59) as India chased down the 263-run target comfortably at the R Premadasa stadium. Earlier, after winning the toss and electing to bat Sri Lanka posted a competitive total of 262 for nine from their allotted 50 overs.

With the ball, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav and Deepak Chahar all picked up two wickets apiece. Shaw, for his explosive cameo, was adjudged player of the match. Brilliant start for the young Indian brigade in Colombo. If Sri Lanka had some solace after squeezing to 262/9, the Indian openers, well, Prithvi Shaw, largely scribbled off their hopes in a flash.

India romped to fifty in just five overs as Shaw walloped the Lankan pacers through the off-side for a flurry of boundaries. Kishan, the birthday boy debutant, ensured that India did not drop the momentum after Shaw’s dismissal as he continued to smash the spinners all around the park. India would have been slightly startled with the finish the Lankans have managed. Despite all of its top six batsmen crossing double figures, Sri Lanka failed to keep momentum as the Indian spinners pulled them back with consistent roadblocks. India Vs Sri Lanka is yet to come.

India vs Sri Lanka had always played exciting matches, but this one from the starting seemed like India were a better team from the start. Chahal and Kuldeep have flourished on return and Krunal has proven effective in rushing through the overs, providing no room for attack for the batsmen. Chahar and Hardik chipped in with some late wickets as well, but India failed to put the chain at the death. Nevertheless, SL has showed some stern fight in keeping itself alive and through the full 50 overs to put a reasonable total on board.

Over to the bowlers to disrupt the visitor with some early wickets. This is the second string Indian Team, this series is important for selecting players for the T20 World Cup that would held at UAE. The selectors would clearly watch each and every performances of the players and select them. I think Shikhar Dhawan’s captaincy was perfect in this match, and his batting was really superb. He took his time in the crease, believed in partnerships with Shaw and Ishan Kishan.

Rotated the strike with them and won the match for his Country. India vs Sri Lanka series would consist of three T20s and Three One-day. All the experts have given their advices that Sri Lanka would lost all the matches of the series. Rahul Dravid would be guiding the team for the Sri Lanka series and there is a lot of hype about it. I think, if the series was against some big teams like Australia or England then this hype was worthy, but it is against Sri Lanka who are struggling in each and every department.

India vs Sri Lanka series has produced many legends like Kumar Sangakkara, Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and many others. Earlier, we used to witness a huge fightback from both the team. But in the current situation, both teams are not comparable with this being the second Indian string team is much better than the current Sri Lankan Team.

Ahead of the IND vs SL 2021 series, the Team India squad for Sri Lanka posed for a group photo. Shikhar Dhawan’s men were seen wearing India’s customised travel gear in the picture. The official Instagram handle of Team India posted the photo and wrote, “All SET! Sri Lanka bound #TeamIndia #SLvIND.”