Indian players are wearing black armbands in the first ODI against Sri Lanka. (Picture Credit: X/@BCCI)
The first ODI of the three-match series between India and Sri Lanka is taking place at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Friday.
The first ODI of the ongoing three-match series between India and Sri Lanka is taking place at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Friday (August 2). Sri Lankan skipper Charith Asalanka won the toss and decided to bat first in the series opener. Rohit Sharma is back in the XI along with Virat Kohli after missing the last 50-over series India played against South Africa in December 2023.
During the first ODI against Sri Lanka, Indian players will wear black armbands in memory of former cricketer and head coach Aunshuman Gaekwad, who passed away on Wednesday.
“Team India is wearing black armbands today in memory of former Indian cricketer and coach Aunshuman Gaekwad, who passed away on Wednesday,” the BCCI tweeted.
Gaikwad made his debut for India against the West Indies in Kolkata on December 27, 1974, and went on to play a total of 40 Tests and 15 ODIs. During his 12-year-long international career, he scored 1985 runs in Tests and 269 in ODIs for the Indian team.
No Rishabh Pant!
For the first ODI against Sri Lanka, India has included Shivam Dube in the playing XI for the first time in five years, but Rishabh Pant was not included. Pant, who missed the ODI World Cup last year, was expected to be part of India’s playing XI, but the team management preferred KL Rahul over him as wicketkeeper-batter.
The 31-year-old Rahul was in red-hot form during the ODI World Cup last year, and he scored over 500 runs for the Rohit Sharma-led side.