Some first-choice Indian players are back for the ODI series against Sri Lanka, which starts Tuesday in Guwahati (January 10). These players were rested for the T20I series but are eager to start the 50-over leg.
The visitors have improved recently, notably in white-ball cricket. Their bowling team has several exceptional bowlers, but so does their batting department.
Guwahati’s fast surface has produced high-scoring matches in the past. Both teams’ batters will be eager to impress the crowd with big hits.
Here are three hitters that could make a difference in the opening ODI:
3 Shreyas Iyer
Shreyas Iyer was last year’s finest ODI batter. The Mumbai batsman made 724 runs in 15 ODIs for India in 2022, averaging 55.69 and striking out 91.53 times. His 724 ODI runs were the most by any man.
Iyer hopes to continue his great form in 2023 and will bat tomorrow. In three ODIs against Sri Lanka, he scored 162 runs at an average of 54 and a strike rate of 101.Shreyas Iyer’s form and run total make him a threat against Sri Lanka.
2 Pathum Nissanka – Sri Lanka
Pathum Nissanka wasn’t terrific in recent T20Is, but his style suits 50-over cricket. Sri Lankan opener will be essential in holding one end as others bat around him.
Nissanka was Sri Lanka’s top ODI run-scorer last year. The 24-year-old right-hander scored 491 runs in 11 innings, including four half-centuries and a hundred.
Nissanka is a quality opener for the visitors, who will pressure Indian bowlers.
1 Virat Kohli
Star Virat Kohli had a dismal ODI 2022. The modern-day great scored 302 runs at a 27.4 average in 11 ODIs last year, his poorest average since his ODI debut.
The senior right-hander scored a 91-ball 113 against Bangladesh on December 10, 2022.
Kohli will want to start the new year on a good note against a favourite opponent. The former Indian captain averages 60 and has 2,220 runs versus Sri Lanka.
Virat Kohli would love to add to his record against Sri Lanka and help his team take an early lead.
