India vs Sri Lanka First ODI: Rohit Sharma and Co. Gives Unique Tribute To Late Anshuman Gaekwad

The Rohit Sharma-led Indian cricket team on Friday wore black armbands in the first ODI against Sri Lanka in memory of former India cricketer and coach Anshuman Gaekwad, who passed away due to cancer. The Sri Lankan cricket team won the toss and elected to bat first in the first ODI.

Colombo (Sri Lanka): The Indian cricket team stepped out on the field wearing the black armbands in memory of former India cricketer Anshuman Gaekwad in the first ODI match of the three-match series here on Friday, July 31.

Former India coach Anshuman Gaekwad passed away at the age of 71 after battling lung cancer for a prolonged period. He was in London, England until last month, but he passed away in Vadodara. Former India World Cup-winning captain Kapil Dev had requested the Board for Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) to give financial help to the former cricketer. BCCI then released Rs one crore for the treatment of the former cricketer.

Gaekwad had served Indian cricket as head coach in two separate stints in 1997 and 2000s. He was the coach of the India team when former India captain and legendary spinner Anil Kumble picked up all ten wickets in an innings of a test match against Pakistan in 1999.

The former Indian opening batter represented India in 40 Tests and 15 ODIs from 1975 to 1987. He made his Test debut against the West Indies in December 1974. He scored a total of 1,985 runs in Tests, with his highest score of 201 coming against arch-rival Pakistan. Over his 22-year career, Gaekwad played 205 first-class matches.

Coming to the match, all the senior players have returned to the ODI setup to build a new team under new head coach Gautam Gambhir. Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Kuldeep Yadav are playing their first game after the Men in Blue's T20 World Cup triumph. The series saw three ODIs with each being played at R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on June 29.

Sri Lanka Playing XI:Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis (WK), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka (C), Janith Liyanage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Akila Dananjaya, Asitha Fernando, Mohamed Shiraz.

India Playing XI: Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (WK), Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj.

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