Sri Lanka vs India, 1st ODI - Live Cricket Score, Commentary

Hello and welcome the live blog of the opening ODI between Sri Lanka and India in Colombo. Before we get going with the updates, here's something from Aayush Puthran from the clash -

It's been four years since India and Sri Lanka have contested in a bilateral ODI series, a period when the cricketing might of the two teams have headed in opposite directions. It's come to a point where Sri Lanka's newly-appointed captain Dasun Shanaka believes India's near-second string side could offer an even contest even at home. And he probably isn't far away from the truth.

Even as India have a favourable 91-56 head-to-head record against Sri Lanka, one of one-day cricket's most-oft played, yet understated rivalries have taken a mighty dip. For the two sides that played 79 ODIs from 2005 to 2017, there isn't ample carrying forward for a rivalry to hold. Barring the pre-series jibe by Arjuna Ranatunga at the Sri Lankan Cricket Board agreeing to host a weak Indian side, there isn't a lot of heat exchanged.

A key reason for that is the hosts have found themselves dealing with enough internal conflict recently to pick up any more battles outside. Danushka Gunathilaka, Kusal Mendis and Niroshan Dickwella were recently sent home after breaching the bio-bubble in England. Two other members of the team management were tested positive on their return from the tour, and for precautionary measures, the series was postponed. Injuries and internal rebellion against the central contracts have only added to their woes. Of all the confusion that remains, Chaminda Vaas's position in the coaching setup isn't one of them.

India, on the other hand, may not be tussling for the World Cup qualification, but they have filled the squad with a set of players hungry to prove themselves. This is an unexpected opportunity that has come the way of many, who would've otherwise been restricted to grinding harder at the 'A' level.

Yet, Shanaka who now holds the seat in the musical chair of Sri Lanka's captaincy, believes that even with an inexperienced squad at his disposal, which was named less than 48 hours prior to the start of the series, will hold an advantage - of the surprise factor. It did to a fair extent stun England at the 2019 World Cup, but will it hold effective against an equally inexperienced but hungry Indian team?