Preview: SL v Ind – 1st ODI
First Published : 20 Jul 2012, 13:09
Last Modified : 20 Jul 2012, 13:09
What
The first of the five-match ODI series between India and Sri Lanka
When
July 21, 2012. The game begins at 14:30 IST.
Where
Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium, Hambantota. Established only in 2009, this is the first time that Hambantota hosts India. Sri Lanka, meanwhile, have won two of their three outings at this venue but have not played here since August 16, 2011 when they beat Australia by 78 runs.
The Teams
India are coming back to play their first competitive ODI game after the Asia Cup where they were stopped by Bangladesh from getting through to the final. India are without the services of Sachin Tendulkar for this series, but the return of Virender Sehwag, who didn’t play the Asia Cup, is a big plus. The other good news is that Zaheer Khan and Umesh Yadav, both of whom did not play the Asia Cup, will return to give extra bite to the Indian pace attack. Pragyan Ojha and Ajinkya Rahane also return to the ODI side, having played their last 50-over games in August 2010 and December 2011 respectively.
Sri Lanka, who have beaten Pakistan in the recently completed Test (1-0) and ODI (3-1) series at home, will be hoping to capitalise on the visitors’ rusty form. The hosts have announced three changes from the squad that beat Pakistan in the ODI series with Isuru Udana, Chamara Kapugedara and Rangana Herath replacing Dilhara Fernando and Nuwan Pradeep,and spinner Sajeewa Weerakoon. Udana and Herath’s selection is aimed to bolster the bowling attack against a strong Indian batting line-up while Kapugedera’s inclusion will strengthen the middle-order.
Key Players
Sri Lanka need to watch out for Virender Sehwag. The dashing Indian opener has already scored 1551 runs against the hosts, his highest tally against any country in ODIs. Sehwag has also scored four ODI centuries in Sri Lanka, the most he has in any country outside India.
Thisara Perera had a terrific series against Pakistan where he was declared the Player-of-the-Series. Perera’s 11 wickets at a strike-rate of 18.6 in the series and his cameo of 24* off 14 balls in the second ODI prove how handy he is as an all-round option for the hosts.
Trivia
India – MS Dhoni is only seven shy of completing 200 catches in ODIs. If Dhoni gets to that feat in this series, he will be only the sixth wicketkeeper to achieve this distinction in ODIs.
Sri Lanka – Lasith Malinga’s strike-rate of 31.1 is the best of all bowlers who have bowled a minimum of 2000 balls in ODIs from either team. Irfan Pathan’s strike-rate of 34.0 is the next best.
Venue Stats
India – played - 0, won - 0, lost – 0, tied – 0, no result – 0
Sri Lanka – played – 3, won - 2, lost – 1, tied – 0, no result – 0
Highest total in an innings: Sri Lanka 332/7 in 50.0 overs v Canada – February 20, 2011
Lowest total in an innings: Kenya 112 in 33.1 overs v Pakistan - February 23, 2011
Best individual score in an innings: Upul Tharanga (Sri Lanka) – 111 v Australia – April 16, 2011
Best bowling figures in an innings: Shahid Afridi (Pakistan) – 8.0-3-16-5 v Kenya – February 23, 2011
Head-to-head
|
Matches |
Played |
Ind won |
SL won |
Tied |
No result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Overall |
134 |
71 |
51 |
1 |
11 |
|
In Sri Lanka |
51 |
19 |
26 |
0 |
6 |
|
At Hambantota |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Last ODI meeting between India and Sri Lanka: March 13, 2012
Brief scores: India 304/3 (50.0 overs) beat Sri Lanka 254/10 (45.1 overs) by 50 runs
Form guide in ODIs (most recent listed first):
India: Won, Lost, Won, Won, Lost (3 wins, 2 losses)
Sri Lanka: Won, Won, NR, Won, Lost (3 wins, 1 loss)
The Squads
India: MS Dhoni (c & wk), Virat Kohli, Gautam Gambhir, Suresh Raina, Virender Sehwag, Rohit Sharma, R Ashwin, Pragyan Ojha, Zaheer Khan, Umesh Yadav, Ashok Dinda, Irfan Pathan, Ajinkya Rahane, Manoj Tiwary, & Rahul Sharma
Sri Lanka: Mahela Jayawardene (capt), Angelo Mathews (vice-capt), Tillakaratne Dilshan, Kumar Sangakkara, Upul Tharanga, Dinesh Chandimal (wk), Nuwan Kulasekara, Thisara Perera, Lahiru Thirimanne, Lasith Malinga, Chamara Kapugedera, Rangana Herath, Sachithra Senanayake, Jeevan Mendis, Isuru Udana
All stats are as on July 20, 2012
