IND vs SL 3rd ODI: India eye clean sweep against Sri Lanka
The men in blue have already clinched the series with contrasting wins a comfortable one while defending in Guwahati and a hard-fought one while chasing in Kolkata.
India will lock horns with Sri Lanka in the third and last ODI of the three-match series on Sunday. With a series clean sweep in sight, the Indian team is unlikely to tinker with its batting line-up but could be tempted to look at some of the bowling options.
The men in blue have already clinched the series with contrasting wins a comfortable one while defending in Guwahati and a hard-fought one while chasing in Kolkata. A 3-0 series win before taking on a better-quality opposition in New Zealand in less than 72 hours will keep the team in good stead.
All the top five batters, including all-rounder Hardik Pandya will not mind some more batting time against a decent Sri Lankan attack at the Greenfields Stadium which is known to assist bowlers.Hence the possible changes could happen in the bowling line-up.
With India playing six 50-over games in a space of 14 days - three against Sri Lanka and as many against New Zealand, Mohammed Shami's workload will be of primary concern for the Indian team management.
In the absence of Jasprit Bumrah, Shami is expected to shoulder the responsibility of leading the Indian attack during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy Tests, so his workload would need the maximum monitoring. He is expected to bowl close to 125 to 130 overs across the four Tests, fitness permitting.
Arshdeep Singh, the left-arm seamer, could be tried out for variations as he also needs some game time after getting the rough end of the stick against the Lankans in one of the T20 games.
Kuldeep Yadav had once again got a Player of the match award and while he replaced an injured Yuzvendra Chahal (shoulder niggle), it would be interesting to see what Rohit and head coach Rahul Dravid would do if the right-arm wrist spinner gets fit.
Axar Patel, who has been the team's 'go-to' man across formats, will be taking a break for a personal commitment during the New Zealand series.
If the team wants to check out Washington Sundar before the series against Black Caps, the third ODI is an ideal platform.
In the batting department, Shubman Gill, who looked the most comfortable on a tricky Eden Gardens pitch before throwing it away, wouldn't like to let his guard down, knowing that Ishan Kishan is presenting himself as a strong contender for the opener's role.
As far as the Sri Lankan team is concerned, the biggest takeaway from the 50-over series would be unearthing a quality talent in opener Nuwanidu Fernando, who hit a fifty on debut.
Full Teams:
India:
Rohit Sharma (C), Hardik Pandya (VC), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Ishan Kishan (wk), Washington Sundar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Umran Malik and Arshdeep Singh.
Sri Lanka:
Dasun Shanaka (C), Kusal Mendis (VC), Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Wanindu Hasaranga, Ashen Bandara, Maheesh Theekshana, Chamika Karunaratne, Dilshan Madushanka, Kasun Rajitha, Nuwanidu Fernando, Dunith Wellalage, Pramod Madushan and Lahiru Kumara.