I don't see any reason to change the team: Virat Kohli

For Sri Lanka, it seemed that nothing can go worse after the 3-0 whitewash in the Test series, but the 1st ODI rubbed salt on the wound. Virat Kohli and his men not only marched to a 9-wicket win but humiliated the opposition by taking control of the entire game.

It was a happy outing for Team India, as they chased Lankan target of 217 with 127 balls to spare. Opener Shikhar Dhawan continued his merry form against Sri Lanka, scoring a majestic 132* while captain Kohli played a calm and composed knock of 82*. Both the openers remained unbeaten stitching a 197-run stand for the 2nd wicket.

Not too many changes likely

Though the Indian team wouldn’t go unchanged throughout this series. But unless the wicket at Pallekele looks extremely dry, Kuldeep Yadav may have to wait for his chance, as Kohli might carry on with the likes of Yuzvendra Chahal and Axar Patel. We might well see a reshuffle of the batting order, as the Sri Lankan bowling attack looked spineless during the 1st game.

Kohli might opt to give a chance to KL Rahul or Kedar Jadhav bat higher up the order in order to get some time out in the middle. Overall, it is likely that India will go with the same side, as they still have 4 games to play in this series. A win tomorrow will further strengthen their case and once the series comes to a safe corner, we might see some new faces here and there.

The wicket is similar

“Wicket similar to Dambulla. I don’t see any reason to change team just after 1 game but everything and any combination is possible,” said Virat Kohli. Rohit Sharma will look to break the jinx in the island nation, as he failed to get into double digits in the last seven innings against Sri Lanka in the island.