Plot:

After playing 262 matches for Team India across all formats, Rohit Sharma is set to don the captain’s hat for the first time in the national colours. In Virat Kohli’s absence, Rohit has been appointed as a skipper and it will be his first captaincy stint for the Men in Blue. He has been touted to have one of the sharpest brains and his IPL success is there for everyone to see. At the other end, is another new captain in Thisara Perera, who will have added responsibilities over his all-round role in the side. Coming back to the series, India & Sri Lanka will play 3 ODI matches followed by 3 T20I matches. The first one-dayer will be played at the picturesque stadium In Dharamsala, on Sunday.

The Lankans offered a lot of fight in the Test series. They might have lost it, but it was their grit which stood out and it showed that they cannot be taken lightly. Thisara Perera had captained the Island nation against Pakistan in the T20I series. Perera will be Sri Lanka’s 7th captain in 2017 which shows that they have undergone plenty of upheaval. He will be leading a young side which has a lot of potential and promise. Asela Gunaratne is back in the squad after his injury and he will play an important role in the middle order. Angelo Mathews must show his experience and needs to replicate his Test heroics to the limited overs as well. The Lankan side will be up against a confident-looking Indian line-up, but they can challenge the hosts if they play as a unit.

Team India, riding high on confidence, have a mix of youth and experience in their line-up. Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan will open the innings and there are exciting youngsters in the middle order. Siddharth Kaul has been included in the squad but it will be interesting to see if he makes it to the playing XI. Jasprit Bumrah, who has got a Test call-up after his brilliant performances in the limited overs format, will be looking to stamp his authority in the ODIs and make things difficult for the Sri Lankan batsmen. The youngsters will be excited to showcase their skills against the Lankans and mark their name in the international circuit. It is going to be a challenge for Rohit Sharma but we all know he loves to take up new challenges and more often than not, he delivers.

Can the Lankans spring a surprise and start the ODI series on a high? Or will Team India be ruthless enough in the ODIs as well and continue with their form? It promises to be an exciting game between the two young sides.

Stage:

Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamsala

The picturesque Dharamsala will host the first ODI between India and Sri Lanka. With the Himalayas in the background, the venue becomes beautiful and an eye-catching one. Three ODIs have been played here before and sides batting second have won it twice. Hardik Pandya was the Man of the Match in the last ODI here which was played between India and New Zealand.

Acts:

Rohit Sharma vs Suranga Lakmal:

The Lankan seamer moves the ball early on and he would look to get the big wicket of Rohit Sharma early in the innings. Once set, we all know what Rohit can do. This should be an interesting battle between these two.

Yuzvendra Chahal vs Asela Gunaratne:

The Lankan middle order batsman needs to tackle the spin-tricks that Chahal dishes out in the middle overs. The leggie has been a find for the Indian side and will look to keep Gunaratne silent.

Jasprit Bumrah vs Niroshan Dickwella:

The Lankan wicket-keeper batsman is a free-flowing player who looks to give strong starts. He will be up against Jasprit Bumrah early on and might find it difficult to play his wide array of shots against one of the most skillful bowlers in world cricket currently.