Headlines Today: Team India Vs Sri Lanka Fifth ODI Today at Ranchi, India Eyes Series Whitewash
India and Sri Lanka played bilateral series two years ago. Lanka’s India tour is not in schedule but was arranged as West Indies tour was cancelled suddenly. Sri Lanka team was in great form before this series and everyone expected an interesting series. But Team India won all the four one day matches played till now.
Ranchi: India now is eying cleaning sweep of the series. It wants to whitewash the series with 5-0. The fifth and final one day match is going to be played in Ranchi today. Team India wants to give an excellent finishing touch. There are only 100 days left for prestigious world cup and winning the series will boost up confidence of the team.
Team India players are in good form in batting, bowling and fielding departments and this is a great advantage for India. On the other side Mathews team lost hopes on the series long back and want to save its face by winning this match.
India already pocketed the series and thus selectors will give chance to young players in the match. Senior batsman Suresh Raina is going to be rested for this match and Kedar Jadav will be taken to the team. If Jadav plays in this match, this will be the first international match for him. Ashwin may also not play in this match and Karn Sharma will be given a chance. Akshar Patel may be continued in the team. Dhawal, Binny and Umesh may be continued in the team. There are high expectations on Dhawal who recorded 4/34 figures in the fourth match. Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma, captain Virat Kohli and Ambati Rayudu are all in good form.
Sri Lanka who did not offer any resistance in the first four matches in under tremendous pressure. Winning the last one day match will give some relief to the team. But the team has problem will opening batsmen. Perera is failing to give good start to the innings. There are no batsmen in middle order to support Mathews. Bowling is also a problem for Sri Lanka.
In the last two one day matches played at Ranchi, the score did not cross the 300 mark. But there are all flat pitches and thus big score is expected in this match also. the pitch may help the bowlers. Weather is dry and there is no sign of rain.
