However, India are not treating this as just another bilateral ODI series. Head-to-head against Sri Lanka, they have played 11 ODIs at this venue but only managed to win four of them. For Sri Lanka, meanwhile, this series is more than just a matter of saving face after their heavy losses in the Test series. The hosts need two more ODI wins to confirm their spot in the 2019 ODI World Cup by way of automatic qualification. India blanked Sri Lanka 5-0 the last time these two sides played a bilateral ODI series, back in November 2015 (in India).

Source: dna August 20, 2017 07:07 UTC