Daijiworld Media Network

Cuttack, Nov 2 : Greetings and welcome to the start of the unexpected 5-match ODI series between familiar foes - India and Sri Lanka. This may be a hastily-arranged series, yet it promises to be a competitive one. Don't stray too much, ladies and gentlemen, for toss, teams and all the action heading your way in a short while.

Kohli has a tremendous record against Sri Lanka - 1,527 runs in 35 ODIs at an average of 52.65 runs with five centuries and eight fifties.

Sri Lanka have never won a bilateral ODI series in India.

Pitch Report: 'There are plenty of cracks but they are quite solid and not moving. If they start to break off, it will create a lot of problem. However, it looks like the cracks won't come into the picture. The pitch is very hard and lot of runs are going to be scored', reckon Sunil Gavaskar and Michael Holding.

'India is always a tough challenge. It gives us an opportunity to try out different things. Although it is a tough tour for us, we need to look at it in a positive way. We have had a great year. Winning is a good habit. Hopefully, we keep it going. We have not won a series here. That is a motivation' says Mahela Jayawardene

Sri Lanka have won the toss and have opted to field

Virat Kohli: 'I would have bowled first as well. Bit of dew factor later. Looks like a hard and fresh wicket, just like Dharamsala. It is a wonderful opportunity for me. MS Dhoni has been a wonderful captain. I just want to take these boys along and give them an opportunity. With the World Cup just around the corner, this will be a good challenge. We have rested Jadeja, Mishra is not playing. Two more people are not there. Vijay and don't quite remember the other name.'

Angelo Mathews: 'I will have a bowl first. The dew is going to be a major factor in the evening. Otherwise I would have batted. I know, past experiences here have not been good for us. Hopefully, we will set that right. There are a lot of guys to be looked at in the bowling department.'

Teams:

Sri Lanka (Playing XI): Upul Tharanga, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Kumar Sangakkara(w), Mahela Jayawardene, Angelo Mathews(c), Ashan Priyanjan, Thisara Perera, Seekkuge Prasanna, Suraj Randiv, Dhammika Prasad, Lahiru Gamage

India (Playing XI): Shikhar Dhawan, Ajinkya Rahane, Virat Kohli(c), Ambati Rayudu, Suresh Raina, Wriddhiman Saha(w), Akshar Patel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Umesh Yadav, Varun Aaron, Ishant Sharma