Riyan Parag makes ODI debut, Rishabh Pant replaces KL Rahul, just one pacer in India playing 11 for series-decider

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Riyan Parag was given an ODI debut opportunity and was named in India's playing eleven for the series-decider against Sri Lanka in Colombo on Wednesday. Rishabh Pant was also given a place in the India playing eleven for the third T20I as KL Rahul was dropped.

Riyan Parag walked in the India playing XI at the cost of pacer Arshdeep Singh as the Rohit Sharma-led Men in Blue decided to walk into the game with just one specialist pacer in Mohammed Siraj. Shivam Dube will be the other pace option in the match.

Notably, Sri Lanka played the second ODI with just one pacer on the spin-friendly Colombo surface. India were bundled out for 208 while chasing 241 as Sri Lanka spinners picked nine wickets including a six-wicket haul from leg-spinner Jeffrey Vandersay.

With the introduction of 22-year-old Riyan Parag, India have provided depth to their batting and spin-bowling departments.

The first ODI ended in a tie after India were bundled out for 230 after a 75-run opening partnership between Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill. In the second ODI as well India suffered a batting collapse after a 97-run opening stand. The visitors were bundled out for 208 while chasing 241.

KL Rahul scored 31 in the first ODI and was dismissed for a duck in the second. Rishabh Pant will be playing his first ODI match for India since his near-fatal car accident in December 2022. Sri Lanka made change and brought in Maheesh Theekshana in place of Akila Dananjaya.

India Playing 11 vs Sri Lanka in 3rd ODI: Rohit Sharma(c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant(w), Shreyas Iyer, Riyan Parag, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj

Sri Lanka Playing 11 vs India in 3rd ODI: Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis(w), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka(c), Janith Liyanage, Kamindu Mendis, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Asitha Fernando