Virat Kohli Hints At Picking The Same XI Which Played In The 1st ODI
Aug 23, 2017 at 10:19 PM
The Story
Team India may field the same team which won the first ODI at the Rangiri International Stadium, Dambulla. India will be favorites once again as a depleted Sri Lanka has still not shown any signs of fighting back and regain the lost respect after the 3-0 whitewash in the Test series
Same XI to Play?
Skipper Virat Kohli has hinted that there might be no changed in the playing XI despite dropping hints earlier that he is open to experimenting in this series. Kohli had previously commented that he would try different things even if cost him a couple of wins. This indicated that we might see the entire bench strength getting tested. However, as of now, at least for the second ODI, there would be no changes in the side if Kohli is to be believed.
India crushed the hosts by nine wickets in the first game at Dambulla on Sunday.
“Wicket similar to Dambulla. I don’t see any reason to change team just after 1 game but everything & any combination is possible,” said Virat Kohli during the pre-mat presser at Pallekelle.
This mean…no, Manish Pandey?
Earlier in the day, the BCCI posted a video featuring Manish Pandey who was sweating it out in an intense batting session. Many followers felt it was a subtle hint that the talented Karnataka star may get included in the side as Kohli had already mentioned about such moves earlier.
“You try things and lose, and people will say that it shouldn’t have been done. But we should be ready to embrace challenges and ready to take risks… ready to even lose a few games while trying out something,”
But, not it seems that Pandey will have to wait for a match longer at least to probably think of getting a place in the team.
This Tactic May Remain Constant
Pallekele International Cricket Stadium will not only host tomorrow’s ODI but also the third. This certainly means that this tactic to field unchanged line-up may remain a norm until and unless someone fails to perform completely.
Kohli & Co. will later fly to Colombo where they will play the last two ODI of the series and a one-off Twenty20 game before saying goodbye to the island nation.