Schedule of India vs Sri Lanka ODI Series 2008

After losing the three-match test series 2-1, India will now face Sri Lanka in a five-match ODI series, starting from 18 August 2008. Both sides already named their squads for the upcoming ODI series. India seems to be gearing up to win the ODI series as a consolation for their test series defeat. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, will definitely look to continue their dominance in the ODI series as well. Before the ODI series gets underway, Indian team will face a local team in a limited over match at the Nondescripts Cricket Club, Colombo on 15 August.

India’s performance, specially the batting performance in the test series was poor. Their middle order batsmen failed to show enough resistance, even though they have huge experience with them. In the presence of Sachin Tenduklar, Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman, Indian middle order looked formidable, but they failed to perform as per their class and experience. However, India will have a different batting line up for the ODI series. Sachin Tendulkar has been ruled out of the ODI series with his injured left elbow. Except the two openers- Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir, no other regular batsman from India’s test squad has been named in the ODI squad. In fact, the whole middle order batting line up will be different for the ODI series. There is no major change in their bowling attack for the five-match series.

For Sri Lanka, there are few changes in their ODI squad. Kumar Sangakara will stand behind the stamps, while Sanath Jayasuria will open Sri Lankan batting. Pacer Dilhara Fernando has come back to the ODI squad for the five-match ODI series against India, after shaking off his leg injury. In fact, Sri Lanka has retained almost the same squad that won the Asia Cup 2008 title in Pakistan last month.

Though India provided the fans with a taste of competitiveness in the test series by winning the second test, they looked helpless in the other two tests that they lost to Sri Lanka. However, fans on both sides are now expecting to see some exciting matches during the ODI series. The last three matches of the series will be day/night. Here, I am giving the schedule of the five ODI matches of the series:

Related article:

Cricinfo