India Playing 11 vs Sri Lanka 1st ODI: KL Rahul picked over Rishabh Pant, Shreyas Iyer and Washington Sundar find place

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India Playing 11 vs Sri Lanka 1st ODI: KL Rahul was picked ahead of Rishabh Pant in India's playing eleven for the first ODI against Sri Lanka in Colombo on Friday, August 2.

Rishabh Pant had made a return to India's ODI squad after 18 months. He last played an ODI match in November 2022 before his near-fatal car accident in December which kept him out of action for almost 14 months.

KL Rahul was India's wicketkeeper-batter in the Asia Cup 2023 and the following World Cup 2023, and excelled in the role beautifully. He was the eighth-highest run-scorer in the World Cup 2023.

Further, Shreyas Iyer, who is making a comeback for the first time after getting dropped from BCCI's central contract list, also found a place in the eleven. Washington Sundar and Shivam Dube have got opportunities ahead of Riyan Parag. Sundar would be part of the spin attack which will also include Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav.

Mohammed Siraj and Arshdeep Singh are the two specialist pacers in the eleven, and will get support from Shiva Dube if needed. The top order consists of captain Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli. Rohit and Kohli are returning to action for the first time after the T20 World Cup 2024 which India won on June 29 in Barbados.

Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka, who won the toss and opted to bat first, revealed that pacer Mohamed Shiraz was making his debut in the match. Notably, Matheesha Pathirana and Dilshan Madushanka were ruled out on the eve of the ODI series due to injuries.

India Playing 11 vs Sri Lanka for 1st ODI: Rohit Sharma(c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul(w), Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj

Sri Lanka Playing 11 vs India for 1st ODI: Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis(w), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka(c), Janith Liyanage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Akila Dananjaya, Asitha Fernando, Mohamed Shiraz