Newly-appointed Sri Lanka skipper Dasun Shanaka on Saturday mentioned will probably be an excellent contest between his struggling aspect and overwhelming favorite India because the visiting crew is filled with newcomers.
India have come right here with a squad comprising six uncapped gamers.“Both teams will start evenly because they (India) have got new players coming up. We all know that they have played IPL but still, they haven’t played international cricket, so both the teams have even chances?” said Shanaka on the eve of the first ODI against India here on Sunday.Shanaka on Friday became the 10th Sri Lankan captain in the past four years when he was named skipper of a 23-member squad for the six-match white-ball series against India, to be played here.The India team, which will play three ODIs and as many T20s, is led by Dhawan. The Test team led by Virat Kohli is currently in England to take part in the upcoming five-match series.Sri Lanka named the squad only on Friday night. Asked whether that was an advantage, the 29-year-old right-handed batsman answered in the affirmative.“Yes, a slight advantage because they (India) haven’t seen these guys in international cricket, as well, so yes, I feel they have to prepare well for these newcomers as well?” said Shanaka.On how challenging it is to lead Sri Lanka in current times, he said, “Yeah, it is always challenging, you know international cricket and the outside (off the field) problems, it all matters, but the end of the day you have to get to it and perform as a team, it is the main concern we all have, so I am sure that boys will look on to it.”The gamers and board SLC have been locked in a longstanding battle over nationwide contracts. For this sequence, the gamers have signed tour contracts, the way in which they did for the England tour.The sequence was initially to start out on July 13 however was later pushed to start out on July 18, after a few COVID-positive circumstances have been discovered within the Sri Lankan squad.According to Shanaka, his aspect would get a great expertise after enjoying towards India.“The experience will be very good, you know playing against one of the top teams in the world, so it will be very good to play with India at this point because we can exactly measure the levels we are in, so it will be a good tournament for us,” he added.Sri Lanka did not win a single sport on the UK tour throughout which their three gamers have been despatched again house for breaching the bio-bubble.