India vs Sri Lanka: SWOT Analysis Of India's ODI Squad For The Series

The Indian team, formed under the newly-appointed head coach Gautam Gambhir, has fared well in their first campaign in the India vs Sri Lanka series. The T20I series is almost done, with the guests winning the first two matches. The series has already sided with team India despite the final match still left to unfold. Needless to say, Gambhir’s team has passed their first test with an impressive performance. However, next up is the ODI leg of the series. India and Sri Lanka will engage in a three-match ODI series starting from August 2nd. The likes of Suryakumar Yadav, Rinku Singh, and Yashasvi Jaiswal will exit the squad. Meanwhile, KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, along with captain Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, will join the squad in Sri Lanka for the 50-over format.

Strengths

The ODI squad will have Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli joining the camp. Sharma will take his usual charge as the captain, and Kohli will take the No.3 position. Kohli, now free from the load of T20Is, will take the field still fresh from the T20 World Cup win. Now, with ODIs and Tests as his only international playing grounds, Kohli can take his batting game up a notch. The modern-day legend, moreover, is the highest run-scorer against Sri Lanka in ODIs in the last five years. Going against the Lankans in six ODI innings, Kohli has smashed 408 runs at an average of 102.00.

Closing in next to Kohli is India’s current vice-captain Shubman Gill. The young opener has scored 345 runs in six innings against Lanka at an average of 69.00. If captain Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli continue their recent purple patch into ODIs as well, the Lankans will find it hard to evade the Indian batting attack. While Mohammed Siraj is yet to arrive in true form, it’s worth noting that the pacer is India’s deadliest weapon against Sri Lanka. His six-wicket haul in the Asia Cup 2023 final is testimony enough. Moreover, the pacer is India’s highest wicket-taker against Sri Lanka in the last five years. Siraj has scalped 19 wickets across six innings at an economy of 3.50.

Weaknesses

The ODI squad consists of KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer, marking a comeback. Moreover, this series will be India’s first ODI campaign after the 2023 World Cup. The long break included high-octane T20 action with IPL 2024 and the T20 World Cup. Thus, the players can find it challenging to find their footing in the format. Moreover, Rishabh Pant will join the ODI squad after a long hiatus following his recovery. The players can face rusty form while taking the field against Sri Lanka.

Moreover, Shubman Gill is said to have endured a neck spasm while on the Sri Lanka tour. The vice-captain didn’t join the Playing XI for the second T20I and is likely to sit out of the final as well as a precautionary measure. If Gill, touted as the opener along with Sharma, fails to recover in time, it can leave the spot open. Lastly, the team combination can prove to be tricky with the availability of both Pant and Rahul in the squad.

Opportunities

The series will be an ideal performing ground for many Indian players to showcase their expertise in the specific format. KL Rahul, for instance, seems to have already lost his grip in the T20Is. Going forward, the wicket-keeper batter needs to grab opportunities like this series to ensure his place in the Indian ODI setup. Likewise, with Gill earning the vice-captaincy, Iyer has his batting skills solely to back his place in the team.

Finally, Rishabh Pant can make perfect use of this series to ease back into the ODI format. Furthermore, Riyan Parag has earned his maiden international call up for the India vs Sri Lanka series. The youngster has shown up as a reliable spin all-round prospect thanks to his 3 wickets heist within 8 deliveries in the first T20I. Riyan Parag, if earns his ODI debut, can use this series to solidify his place within team India.

Threats

India has already claimed their domination over the white-ball series with a winning streak in T20Is. However, going against Sri Lanka, India isn’t as fortified as it seems on the surface. Jaiswal is not a part of the ODI setup, and Shubman Gill is suffering from an injury, though not a serious one. In any case, if captain Rohit Sharma departs early, then the Indian team can crumble easily.

Moreover, Siraj, counted as a strength against Sri Lanka, is yet to show his true potential in the series. If the pacer continues his current form, the onus can fall on either of the new joinees, Khaleel Ahmed or Harshit Rana. While Arshdeep is there, his current economy against the team has turned out to be a concern. Bowling in the two T20Is, Siraj and Arshdeep have scalped two and four wickets each with an economy of 8.33 and 8.00 respectively.

India's ODI Squad for the Sri Lanka Tour:

Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman 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.