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After an exciting T20I series between India and Sri Lanka which saw India registering a 4-1 win over the hosts, action moved to the three-match ODI series. The series commenced on Friday, August 2, at the R. Premadasa Stadium in capital city, Colombo. The match saw names like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli returning to the squad after missing a month of action since India's triumph in the T20 World Cup 2024. Home skipper Charith Asalanka win the toss and invited the visitors to bowl first. During the match, Indian players were seen sporting black arm bands.
The Indian team, under the captaincy of Rohit Sharma, was spotted wearing black arm bands to mourn the death of former Indian cricketer and head coach Anshuman Gaekwad. Gaekwad appeared in a total of 40 Test matches and 15 One Day Internationals from 1975 to 1987 for India. Following his retirement, he served as the head coach of team India from 1997 and guided Men in Blue to various victories including the 1998 tri-nation tournament.
Gaekwad lost his battle with blood cancer and passed away on July 31, at the age of 71. He scored 1985 runs from 70 Test innings, with a highest score of 201 against Pakistan in 1982-83.
Coming back to the match, India skipper Rohit Sharma said during the toss, "We have a pretty decent balance. We had a great World Cup, we didn't cross the finishing line but there were a lot of positives. We have created an atmosphere where guys can come in and play with freedom. Not really (on whether he will bowl), I will focus on my batting. We have enough bowlers in the squad that can roll their arm over."
