One of the top-ranked teams in the 50-over format, two-time champions India will kickstart its World Cup 2023 preparations with the upcoming One Day International (ODI) series against Sri Lanka on Tuesday. Rohit Sharma-led Team India will meet Sri Lanka in the 1st ODI of the three-match series after beating the visitors in the shortest format. Despite missing the services of Rohit, ex-skipper Virat Kohli and opener KL Rahul, India got the better of Sri Lanka in the T20Is to extend its streak of bilateral series wins at home last week.
The returning trio of Rahul, Rohit and Kohli could provide India with a huge boost in the ODI series against Sri Lanka. This also means that the Indian think tank is spoilt for choice and the hosts will have to make tough calls while furnishing the final playing XI for the series opener against Sri Lanka on Tuesday. Speaking ahead of the 1st ODI between the two Asian giants, former Indian cricketer Ajay Jadeja discussed India’s strategy of playing seven batters in its playing XI.
“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.
Speaking at the press conference, Indian skipper Rohit confirmed that Shubman Gill has been picked ahead of Ishan Kishan in the Indian XI for the Sri Lanka series. Hosts India will miss the services of pacer Jasprit Bumrah, who has been ruled out of the entire ODI series. Terming Team India as the overwhelming favourites in the ODI series, former cricketer Jadeja has claimed that Sri Lanka’s batting and bowling can’t 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.
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