India vs Sri Lanka: Why is Riyan Parag Not Playing IND vs SL 1st ODI? Check India Playing 11

In the latest breaking news update, India are not playing their in-form youngster Riyan Parag in the first ODI encounter against Sri Lanka being played at the R.Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. The visiting Indian team have achieved staggering success in the recent times, winning the ICC T20 World Cup after a long span of 17 years and then they defeated Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka in the T20I series. The Sri Lanka vs India three-match ODI series is really important especially for the visitors as they are looking pick the best possible combination for the all-important ICC Champions Trophy 2025. 

Why is Riyan Parag Not Playing India vs Sri Lanka 1st ODI?

Indian captain Rohit Sharma ended up losing the toss and was asked to bowl first, stating that there is no ODI debut for Riyan Parag in the opening game against Sri Lanka. After an amazing domestic season performance, the right-handed middle-order batsman played really well for the Rajasthan Royals (RR) during the Indian Premier League (IPL 2024 season) where he scored a brilliant tally of 573 runs from 15 matches at an impressive strike-rate of close to 150. Subsequently, he earned his maiden call-up to the Indian T20I team for the five-match T20I series against Zimbabwe. 

During the recently concluded T20I series in Sri Lanka, Riyan Parag performed really well with the ball, picking as many as three crucial wickets during the opening encounter. He also smashed an important knock of 26 runs with the bat during the third and final T20I match. However, Riyan will have to wait before making his ODI debut for India. 

"Good pitch. We have played a lot of cricket here and know the conditions. There has been a lot of changes; I am back, so is Virat, KL and Shreyas Iyer. Kuldeep also comes back in. Dube is also playing. We have a pretty decent balance. We had a great World Cup, we didn't cross the finishing line but there were a lot of positives. We have created an atmosphere where guys can come in and play with freedom. Not really (on whether he will bowl), I will focus on my batting. We have enough bowlers in the squad that can roll their arm over," said Indian captain Rohit Sharma during the toss. 

Confirmed India Playing 11

1. Shubman Gill
2. Rohit Sharma (C)
3. Virat Kohli
4. Shreyas Iyer
5. KL Rahul (wk)
6. Shivam Dube
7. Axar Patel
8. Washington Sundar
9. Kuldeep Yadav
10. Arshdeep Singh
11. Mohammed Siraj

India Squad for the Sri Lanka ODI series

Rohit Sharma(c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant(w), Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh, Khaleel Ahmed, KL Rahul, Washington Sundar, Riyan Parag, Harshit Rana.