Preview: Ist ODI: India aim to start strongly against SL

Dharamshala, December 9: A horribly out-of-form Ajinkya Rahane will be aiming to get his mojo back as India, formidable even without regular skipper Virat Kohli, eye another strong outing against Sri Lanka in the three-match ODI series, starting on Sunday (December 10).

The primary objective for chief coach Ravi Shastri and stand-in captain Rohit Sharma will be to look at various combinations in both departments.

Washington Sundar replaces injured Kedar Jadhav in ODI squad

With the match starting at 11:30 am in cooler confines and bouncy conditions, the toss could prove to be a crucial factor during the opening ODI.

Having won five straight bilateral series apart from reaching the Champions Trophy final, a 3-0 win will put India on top of the ICC ODI rankings, overtaking South Africa.

Even without Kohli, a batting line-up comprising Rohit, Rahane, Dinesh Karthik, MS Dhoni, Kedar Jadhav could prove to be a handful for any opposition.

While the opening slot seems locked with Rohit and Dhawan at the top, Rahane is likely to get a chance at the number three position with Kohli given a much-needed rest.

However if Dhawan, who was down with viral fever, pulls out then Rahane could be seen opening the innings.

The stylish Mumbai batsman had scored three half- centuries and a hundred in the bilaterals against West Indies in June-July, before blasting four successive fifties against Australia at home.

The only ODI game that he played against Sri Lanka this year, Rahane scored just 5 before stumbling upon a rough patch in the Test series against Sri Lanka.

With the South Africa Test series round the corner, the team management would certainly want 'Jinks' to break the jinx.

Dinesh Karthik and Dhoni is likely to take the next two slots, before Kedar Jadhav comes in at number six.

Dhoni had faced criticism when he struggled to get going in the second T20I against New Zealand which the hosts lost by 40 runs and the former skipper will look to silent his detractors.

The beautiful Dhauladhar range can be a pleasant distraction but you must keep your eyes on the ball. #INDvSL pic.twitter.com/kFLbXtB4gH

— BCCI (@BCCI) December 8, 2017

While Shreyas Iyer and Manish Pandey are also in the team, and the duo will get a look-in if both Dhawan and Jadhav, who has a hamstring injury, are ruled out.

All-rounder Hardik Pandya will continue to be a vital cog in India's wheel as he completes what has been an exceptional year in international cricket for him.

One among orthodox leg-break bowler Yuzvendra Chahal and chinaman Kuldeep Yadav will be in the playing XI along with Axar Patel, whose primary job is to restrict runs.

Jasprit Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar Kumar will spearhead the pace department and the visitors will have a tough time dealing with them in the opening as well as at death overs.

You cannot keep @hardikpandya7 @akshar2026 and @Jaspritbumrah93 away for too long. They are back and ready to go. #INDvSL pic.twitter.com/bXTeZxUoWN

— BCCI (@BCCI) December 8, 2017

Teams: India: Rohit Sharma (Captain), Shikhar Dhawan, Ajinkya Rahane, Shreyas Iyer, Manish Pandey, Kedar Jadhav, Dinesh Karthik, MS Dhoni (WK), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Siddarth Kaul.

Sri Lanka: Thisara Perera (capt), Upul Tharanga, Danushka Gunathilaka, Lahiru Thirimanne, Angelo Mathews, Asela Gunaratne, Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Chaturanga de Silva, Akila Dananjaya, Suranga Lakmal, Nuwan Pradeep, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dushmantha Chameera, Sachith Pathirana, Kusal Perera.

Live on: Star Sports 1 and 3 from 11.30 am onwards