MS Dhoni has opted out of the first three ODIs against Sri Lanka, citing the need for a break to freshen up ahead of the tour of Australia and the World Cup. Virat Kohli will stand in as captain, and Wriddhiman Saha, who scored a century in the IPL final earlier this year, will take care of wicketkeeping duties. Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been rested, making way for Varun Aaron.
Sri Lanka are touring India as a replacement for West Indies, whose players refused to continue with their full tour because of payment structure disputes with the WICB and WIPA.
R Ashwin, who was rested for the West Indies ODIs, came back into the side, replacing chinaman bowler Kuldeep Yadav, who joined Sanju Samson and Karn Sharma in the India A squad as the players who have recently spent time in the India squad but have been dropped without getting a cap. Samson had been picked as back-up keeper only when Saha injured himself during the Tests in England. Now fit, Saha takes back his place as No. 2 wicketkeeper-batsman.
Sri Lanka are touring India as a replacement for West Indies, whose players refused to continue with their full tour because of payment structure disputes with the WICB and WIPA.
R Ashwin, who was rested for the West Indies ODIs, came back into the side, replacing chinaman bowler Kuldeep Yadav, who joined Sanju Samson and Karn Sharma in the India A squad as the players who have recently spent time in the India squad but have been dropped without getting a cap. Samson had been picked as back-up keeper only when Saha injured himself during the Tests in England. Now fit, Saha takes back his place as No. 2 wicketkeeper-batsman.