Sri Lankan selectors replaced Kusal Mendis as the ODI captain with Charith Asalanka, just before the start of the home ODI series against India. Asalanka was also the captain in the latest T20I series against India.
Mendis was named the ODI captain by the same group of selectors in December 2023, and now they have taken the “U-turn,” despite the fact that he had already served as Sri Lanka’s interim captain in multiple World Cup matches the previous year.
The selectors decided to take a different approach even though Mendis has a fine touch with the bat and Sri Lanka has won six of the eight ODIs that have been played under his captaincy. Sri Lanka had defeated Afghanistan and Zimbabwe at home while Mendis was captain, but they fell short of Bangladesh 2-1 away.
With Hasaranga’s resignation, Asalanka’s promotion to the T20I captaincy was predicted; however, his recent appointment to the ODI leadership role was somewhat of a surprise. Maybe it’s Asalanka’s consistency in the 50-over format; Asalanka has averaged 43.59 with a strike rate of 90 over 52 innings, making him one of Sri Lanka’s more reliable ODI hitters.
Test specialist Nishan Madushka has also been included in Sri Lanka’s team for the three one-day internationals against India to be played on August 2, 4, and 7. Akila Dananjaya and Chamika Karunaratne have also been recalled.
Seamers, Dilshan Madushanka, and Asitha Fernando, who were only added to the T20I team after Dushmantha Chameera and Nuwan Thushara were ruled out, and now they will also play the ODI series. The left-arm spinning all rounder Dunith Wellalage has also found a place in the ODI squad of Sri Lanka for the India series.
The rest of this squad is mostly as expected. Chameera is still unable to participate due to illness, and Thushara’s shattered thumb prevents her from doing so.
Matheesha Pathirana is the only specialist seamer besides Madushanka and Asitha in this squad, which is logical given that the Khettarama stadium in Colombo, where the three matches will be contested, is known for its spin-friendly conditions.
There is no room for Lahiru Kumara or Pramod Madushan in the ODI team of Sri Lanka for the India series. Both of them played in Sri Lanka’s most recent ODI series against Bangladesh.
On the spin-bowling front, Sri Lanka has several quality options in the team, which include Hasaranga, Theekshana, Dananjaya, and Wellalage. Kamindu Mendis and skipper Asalanka himself can provide some overs of spin.
The top order of Sri Lanka is sorted out, with the top three probably consisting of Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, and Kusal Mendis. Despite some recent strong T20 performances, Kusal Perera is not included in the ODI team.
Kamindu Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, and Janith Liyanage will likely be the middle order of Sri Lanka in the upcoming ODI series against India.
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Sri Lanka ODI Squad for Sri Lanka vs India 2024 ODI Series
Charith Asalanka (C), 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
Sri Lanka vs India 2024 ODI Series Schedule
All matches of the SL-India 2024 ODI series will take place at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
| 2-Aug-24 | Friday | 02.30 PM IST | 1st ODI | RPS, Colombo |
| 4-Aug-24 | Sunday | 02.30 PM IST | 2nd ODI | RPS, Colombo |
| 7-Aug-24 | Wednesday | 02.30 PM IST | 3rd ODI | RPS, Colombo |
