The first one-dayer between India and Sri Lanka proved that beating the men in blue in their own den is no joke, as even without Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Mohammad Shami and Bhuvneshwar Kumar Virat Kohli-led side handed a thumping defeat to the Islanders.
After a one-sided affair in the opening contest, the Lankan Lions will be aiming to bring their World Cup preparations back on track. However, it is easier said than done against the team, which was in complete control of the proceedings in the series opener.
The only thing that went against India that day was the toss otherwise it was a perfect Sunday for the World Champions. Their batting was fantastic, the bowlers were on song and bundled the touring party inside 40 overs and the fielding was also spot on.
Shikhar Dhawan and Ajinkya Rahane provided India a perfect start and set the stage for a mammoth total. Despite losing both openers, Indian innings never derailed as Suresh Raina, Virat Kohli and Akshar Patel fore with the bat and took India past 350.
Where to Watch Live Score Updates and Streaming
The second one-dayer between India and Sri Lanka is schedule for a 13:30 IST (08:00 GMT) start at Motera, Ahmedabad. Viewers can watch India vs Sri Lanka live score updates online on BCCI, ICC or ESPN Cricinfo. The match will be broadcasted on Star Sports in India, with online live streaming option HERE. International viewers can catch the action live online on Willow TV HERE or HERE.
The Indians exposed Lankan bowling in the absence of Lasith Malinga and Rangana Herath. Despite restricting India with the new-ball, the Lankan Lions failed to contain the Indians in the middle and death overs, something they will be looking to improve on.
“Malinga is a great bowler and has done really well for Sri Lanka in the last five-six years,” Tillakaratne Dilshan said. “But his absence presents the youngsters with an opportunity. We saw that (Lahiru) Gamage bowled really well in the last match. The young bowers must learn from this experience.”
Team India, however, received a setback while bowling when speedster Varun Aaron had to leave the field because of an injury. Aaron has been ruled out of the remaining two ODIs but is unlikely that his replacement Stuart Binny will be drafted into the playing XI.
The form of Ishant Sharma has come as a relief for the Indian team, after he finished with four wickets and played an instrumental role in bundling Lankans in the opening ODIs. Kohli would be hoping that the bowlers continue their good form.
Squads: India: Virat Kohli (c), Shikhar Dhawan, Ajinkya Rahane, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, W Saha, R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhawal Kulkarni, Umesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Amit Mishra, Murali Vijay, Stuart Binny and Akshar Patel.
Sri Lanka: Angelo Mathews (c), Kusal Perera, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Upul Tharanga, Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Ashan Priyanjan, Niroshan Dickwella, Thisara Perera, Nuwan Kulasekara, Dhammika Prasad, Lahiru Gamage, Chaturanga de Silva, Seekuge Prasanna and Suraj Randiv.
