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IND vs SL (Source-X)
With just under 24 hours to go for the Sri Lanka vs India ODI series, the hosts have been dealt a massive blow. Fast bowlers Matheesha Pathirana and Dilshan Madushanka have been ruled out of the series. The hosts are already without Dushmantha Chameera and Nuwan Thushara who were out due to illness and fitness issues.
Sri Lankan team manager Mahinda Halagngoda while speaking to ESPN CRICINFO said, “Matheesha has jarred his shoulder, and because it is the same issue that he had during the World Cup last year, they have chosen not to risk it."
The hosts have already named Mohammed Shiraz and Eshan Malinga as the replacements. Mohammed Shiraz is a right-arm medium pacer who has played 47 List-A matches and picked 80 wickets.
Ravi Shastri praises Rohit Sharma’s captaincy
Meanwhile, former Indian coach Ravi Shastri has praised the captaincy of Rohit Sharma. The veteran former India star said that Rohit will go down as one of the best captains, along with MS Dhoni during his chat with ICC.
“As a tactician, let's not forget that he's been an outstanding guy. He'll go down as one of the best captains ever alongside Dhoni. If you ask me who's better, I'd say both are on par when it comes to tactics in the white-ball game. I can't pay a bigger compliment to Rohit than that because you know what MS has done and the titles he has won,” said Ravi Shastri.
Praising the Indian ODI and Test skipper, Ravi Shastri also said, “Rohit is not far behind and I thought tactically he was just outstanding in this year's (T20) World Cup. Just the calmness, the ability to get a (Jasprit) Bumrah or a (Hardik) Pandya, or even an Axar Patel at just the right time when needed was great to see."
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli will play their first ODI since November 2023. The duo will hope to make use of the little opportunities they get to try and get ready for the Champions Trophy 2025. It will also be a good chance for someone like KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer who haven’t played for India since the England Test series earlier this year.