India and Sri Lanka are playing a three-match One-Day International (ODI) series at the R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo. Left-arm leg-spinner Kuldeep Yadav got off to a great start to his campaign, picking up 2 wickets in the first 40 overs of the game.  He dismissed Bhanuka Rajapaksa and Minod Bhanuka within a space of 4 balls in his 3rd over. 

His spell impressed former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan, who took to Twitter to express his happiness. 

“Happiness is seeing Kuldeep Yadav getting wickets #wickettaker,” Irfan tweeted.

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Not just Irfan, several cricket fans also took to Twitter to celebrate Kuldeep’s good performance for India after a long time.

“Two wickets in three overs. Kuldeep making the ball talk with his spin!!! Welcome back,” a fan tweeted.

The Indian team is being led by hikhar Dhawan with Rahul Dravid as head coach.

Sri Lanka won the toss and opted to bat first in the first match. At the toss, Shikhar Dhawan, who is leading India for the first time, said India were looking to bat too. 

“We were also looking to bat first as dew factor will come into play. Shaw will open along with me. Kishan and Suryakumar will make their debuts. Kuldeep and Chahal are the two spinners playing for us,” Dhawan said. 

Indian side saw two debutants – Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav – the Sri Lankan team saw the only debutant – Bhanuka Rajapaksa. Indian Wicketkeeper-batsman Sanju Samson is not playing the first ODI against Sri Lanka on Sunday due to a knee ligament injury  

India’s Playing XI: Shikhar Dhawan (C), Prithvi Shaw, Ishan Kishan (WK), Manish Pandey, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya, Deepak Chahar, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav. 

Sri Lanka’s Playing XI: Avishka Fernando, Minod Bhanuka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka (C), Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Isuru Udana, Dushmantha Chameera, Lakshan Sandakan.