Sri Lanka revealed a team of 16 players for the next one-day international (ODI) series with India on Tuesday, July 30. The ODI series, which consists of three matches, will start on Friday, August 2 at the R.Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. Charith Asalanka will keep leading the team as Sri Lanka tries to improve their performance in the ODIs after losing the T20I series.
Nishan Madushka, a top-order batter, has been selected for his first ODI team after showing great skill in Test matches, where he has an average score of 42 in eight games. The 24-year-old is expected to be a backup opener, with Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis being the main openers.
In addition to them, Matheehsa Pathirana is back in the ODI squad after sitting out the previous series against Bangladesh. Nuwan Thushara and Dushmantha Chameera, who were not part of the T20I series against India, have now been included in the team. Fast bowler Asitha Fernando has been chosen for his outstanding performance in the recent Lanka Premier League.
This series is also crucial for India as it includes three of the six ODIs leading up to the Champions Trophy 2025. Veteran players Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will also be part of the series, marking their first ODI appearance since the 2023 World Cup final, where they suffered a disappointing defeat against Australia.
The series will also signify Shreyas Iyer’s comeback to the Indian team since the batsman lost his main contract. In addition to him, Riyan Parag has received his first ODI selection, and Shivam Dube has returned to ODIs after a gap of five years.
Sri Lanka’s squad for ODI series vs India- Charith Asalanka (Captain), Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Kamindu Mendis, Janith Liyanage, Nishan Madushka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Akila Dananjaya, Dilshan Madushanka, Matheesha Pathirana, Asitha Fernando
India’s Squad for three-match ODI series: Rohit Sharma (C), šhubman Gill (VC), Virat Kohli, KL Rahul (WK), Rishabh Pant (WK), Shreyas Iyer, Shivam Dube, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohd. Siraj, Washington Sundar, Arshdeep Singh, Riyan Parag, Axar Patel, Khaleel Ahmed, Harshit Rana
