Sharma has been active in the nets, refining his batting skills, as evidenced by the photographs he shared on social media platform X, showcasing his rigorous practice sessions.
The tour of Sri Lanka by the Indian team began on July 27 with the Twenty20 International (T20I) series. India marked its presence by winning the first T20I with a margin of 43 runs. The subsequent T20I saw India clinching a victory by seven wickets in a match that was shortened due to rain.
The T20I matches were being hosted at the Pallekele International Stadium, whereas the ODI series will take place at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, with matches scheduled for August 2, August 4, and August 7.
Rohit Sharma is making a comeback to the Indian squad following his leadership in the ICC T20 World Cup, where India emerged victorious against South Africa by seven runs in the final held in Barbados on June 29.
Throughout the tournament, Sharma delivered an exceptional performance, amassing 257 runs across eight games, with an average of 36.71 and a strike rate exceeding 156. His highest score was 92, and he hit three half-centuries, making him the second-highest run-scorer of the tournament.
Sharma’s last appearance in an ODI was during the ICC Cricket World Cup final against Australia in Ahmedabad in November of the previous year, which resulted in a loss for India. Currently, Sharma is on the brink of achieving significant milestones in his ODI career. He is 291 runs short of joining the elite group of Indian cricketers with over 11,000 ODI runs.
Furthermore, he requires just 60 more runs to surpass former Indian batter and head coach Rahul Dravid as the fourth-highest run-scorer for India in ODIs. To date, Sharma has played 262 matches, scoring 10,709 runs at an average of 49.12. His record includes 31 centuries and 55 fifties, with a highest score of 264.