India vs Sri Lanka Prediction & Betting Tips - ICC Mens ODI Series

Prediction published on 08/01/2023, 21:30  by Devesh Jaganath | Modified on 09/01/2023 at 05:37 in Cricket Predictions

The opening game of the three-match ODI series between India and Sri Lanka is set to take place on Tuesday, January 10, at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati. The hosts will be looking to secure the ODI series victory against Sri Lanka, having won the T20 series 2-1, and will be boosted by the return of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Jasprit Bumrah, who are making their comebacks from injury. Meanwhile, Suryakumar Yadav, who was the leading run-scorer in the T20I series, will be raring to go, albeit in a slightly shuffled top order, while Arshdeep Singh, who had a disappointing ODI debut in New Zealand, will attempt to redeem himself. Despite having suffered two consecutive ODI series defeats in the last two months, India will be heading into this series optimistically. They lost 0-1 in New Zealand in November, and were defeated 1-2 against Bangladesh when they were away from home. They will now need to raise their game as the preparation for the World Cup begins.

The Sri Lankans will be eager to redeem themselves following their defeat in the T20I series and determined to come back strong in the ODIs. They are currently ranked eighth in the ICC World Cricket rankings, five places behind India, with only the West Indies of the bigger cricket-playing nations having a worse record. However, Sri Lanka is undefeated in their last four ODI series, with victories against South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Australia and a draw against Afghanistan. The bowling attack has been very consistent, with the spinners Wanindu Hasaranga and Mahesh Theekshana leading the charge. This could pose a big challenge for the Indian batting order, as they have had difficulty facing off against spin in the past. After their 1-1 draw in the home series against Afghanistan in November, Sri Lanka will be looking to put on a better display. Sri Lanka will rely heavily on skipper Dasun Shanaka and Kusal Mendis to try to carry their form from the T20Is into the ODI format.