India's cricket team arrived in Colombo for a three-match ODI series, with key players such as Virat Kohli and KL Rahul joining the squad. This series marks Rohit Sharma's return to international cricket after announcing his retirement from T20Is following India's T20 World Cup triumph in June.
During the opening match, Rohit Sharma led the charge, aggressively targeting the Sri Lankan bowlers from the onset. His swift scoring in the powerplay set a solid foundation for India, with Rohit amassing a significant number of runs early in the innings. However, he fell short of breaking Rahul Dravid's run record, missing it by just one run.
The Indian team, under the guidance of new head coach Gautam Gambhir, is looking to build on its recent successes. The squad includes notable returns and changes, with Shubman Gill promoted to vice-captain, Shreyas Iyer back in the lineup, and Rishabh Pant returning after recovering from a car accident.
As the ODI series progresses, India's strategy will be closely watched, especially with their focus on strong starts in the powerplay, spearheaded by Rohit Sharma. The series continues to be a crucial period for the team, aiming to establish dominance and prepare for upcoming international fixtures.