India Vs Shrilanka 1st Odi 2021
It's been four years since India and Sri Lanka have contested in a bilateral ODI series, a period when the cricketing might of the two teams have headed in opposite directions. It's come to a point where Sri Lanka's newly-appointed captain Dasun Shanaka believes India's near-second string side could offer an even contest even at home. And he probably isn't far away from the truth. Even as India have a favourable 91-56 head-to-head record against Sri Lanka, one of one-day cricket's most-oft played, yet understated rivalries have taken a mighty dip. For the two sides that played 79 ODIs from 2005 to 2017, there isn't ample carrying forward for a rivalry to hold. Barring the pre-series jibe by Arjuna Ranatunga at the Sri Lankan Cricket Board agreeing to host a weak Indian side, there isn't a lot of heat exchanged. A key reason for that is the hosts have found themselves dealing with enough internal conflict recently to pick up any more battles outside. Danu...
