The Indian cricket team is set to return to ODIs for the first time in 2024, taking on Sri Lanka in a highly anticipated three-match series beginning on August 2. All eyes will be on star players Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma as they step onto the field for the first time since India’s disheartening loss to Australia in the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 final, held on November 19, 2024.
Virat Kohli, who was the top run-scorer and bagged the Player of the Tournament award during last year’s World Cup, has already etched his name in the history books by breaking Sachin Tendulkar’s all-time record for the most centuries in ODIs. With an unprecedented 50 hundreds to his name, Kohli continues to push the boundaries of cricketing excellence.
In this upcoming series, Kohli has set his sights on yet another milestone held by Tendulkar. He needs 520 runs to surpass Tendulkar’s record for the most ODI runs against Sri Lanka. Kohli has amassed 2,594 runs in just 51 innings against the island nation, while Tendulkar leads the chart with 3,113 runs in 80 innings. Given that only three ODIs are scheduled for this series, Kohli faces a steep challenge, but his track record suggests that he is more than capable of achieving this feat.
Alongside Kohli, Indian skipper Rohit Sharma also returns to ramp up the excitement. Rohit is on the brink of a significant personal achievement himself. He needs only 136 runs to reach the milestone of 2,000 ODI runs against Sri Lanka. This gives fans another reason to be glued to their screens during this series.
But Rohit’s ambitions don’t stop there. He has been known for his ability to hit towering sixes and is within touching distance of breaking yet another record. Rohit currently holds the second-highest number of sixes in ODIs against Sri Lanka, with 50 sixes to his credit. The record for the most sixes in ODIs against Sri Lanka is held by Pakistan’s Shahid Afridi, who has 64 sixes. Rohit needs just 14 more to overtake Afridi and claim this record as his own.
.
As the series approaches, both teams have much riding on these matches. For India, it’s a chance to regain some pride following their World Cup final disappointment. For Sri Lanka, it’s an opportunity to challenge one of the top teams in the world and make a statement of their own.
The atmosphere in the Indian camp is one of intense focus and determination. After the World Cup loss, every match becomes crucial for regaining confidence and momentum. Players like Shubman Gill, Hardik Pandya, and Jasprit Bumrah will also be key figures, each bringing their unique skills to enhance the team’s performance.
Sri Lanka, on the other hand, will be keen to exploit India’s vulnerabilities exposed during the World Cup final. With a mix of experienced players and promising young talent, they will aim to put up a formidable challenge against the powerhouses of Indian cricket. Players like Kusal Mendis, Wanindu Hasaranga, and Dasun Shanaka will be pivotal for Sri Lanka, each having demonstrated their potential in past encounters.
Off the field, the cricketing world has been abuzz with speculations and predictions. Analysts believe that the return of Kohli and Rohit adds a significant psychological edge to the Indian side. Their experience, coupled with the hunger for redemption, makes them a daunting prospect for any opposing team.
As the series kicks off, fans can expect a spectacle of high-quality cricket, replete with individual brilliance and team efforts. Given the stakes, every run and wicket will be closely scrutinized, making this series a must-watch event.
In conclusion, the series against Sri Lanka offers a fresh beginning for Team India in ODI cricket, accentuated by individual milestones and collective ambitions. With Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma at the helm, the series promises to deliver memorable moments and perhaps new records, scripting yet another chapter in the storied careers of these cricketing legends.
