Two-time champions India, one of the top-ranked teams in the 50-over format, will begin their World Cup 2023 preparations with the upcoming One Day International (ODI) series against Sri Lanka on Tuesday. After defeating the visitors in the shortest format, Rohit Sharma‘s Team India will face Sri Lanka in the first ODI of the three-match series.
Despite the absence of Rohit, ex-skipper Virat Kohli, and opener KL Rahul, India defeated Sri Lanka in T20Is last week to extend its winning streak in bilateral series at home. The return of Rahul, Rohit, and Kohli could give India a significant boost in the ODI series against Sri Lanka.
This also means that the Indian think tank is spoiled for choice, and the hosts will have to make difficult decisions when naming the final playing XI for Tuesday’s series opener. Former Indian cricketer Ajay Jadeja discussed India’s strategy of playing seven batters in its playing XI ahead of the first ODI between the two Asian giants.
“You never use all seven batsmen. No.7 and No.8 numbers you will find 20 average. How many times does India win when your No.7 comes into play? And every time it comes into play it only gives you hope for the next World Cup. When we are 5-7 down it’s a different game. It’s an aggressive play. Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar, Shreyas Iyer and Hardik at 6. They all average over 45-50. So that’s 300 runs on their good day. Like what happened in the last T20I game (in Rajkot). You had seven batsmen, how much did you use?” Jadeja told Cricbuzz ahead of the 1st ODI against Sri Lanka.
India still has one-way traffic: Ajay Jadeja
Shubman Gill has been selected ahead of Ishan Kishan in the Indian XI for the Sri Lanka series, according to Indian skipper Rohit Sharma. India will be without pacer Jasprit Bumrah, who has been ruled out of the entire ODI series. Former cricketer Jadeja has declared Team India as the overwhelming favourites in the ODI series, claiming that Sri Lanka’s batting and bowling cannot compete with the hosts in the limited-overs format.
“If your Rohit Sharma can’t score, Virat Kohli can’t score, (and) Suryakumar can’t score. You think that No.7 will come and score. I think India still has one-way traffic as the longer the game gets (better the advantage). Even in the 20 overs when it’s a big score game, Sri Lanka is not competing against you. Their batting and their bowling also don’t compete,” Jadeja added.
