India's probable playing XI for fifth ODI

With a 4-0 lead under their belt and Sri Lanka struggling to put in a consistent performance throughout an entire game, India are likely to make a few changes to the side that have already won them the series. The form of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli is likely to ensure that they both retain their places in the side but there might be a few changes.

The likes of Manish Pandey and Shardul Thakur are expected to get another game while there might be a few changes in the batting order as well, as India look to experiment with the series already in the bag against a demoralized Sri Lankan side.

Here is a look at India's probable playing XI for fifth ODI:

Openers

Coming into the series, Rohit Sharma didn't have a great record in Sri Lanka and in the first ODI, that continued. But ever since then, he has been a man on a mission. He has three consecutive fifty-plus scores including back-to-back hundreds. With the kind of form that he has shown so far in the series, Kohli will not look to end his purple run by rotating him when he is on song, especially given Dhawan's unavailability.

That he was rested for the West Indies series means he has just played four games since the Champions Trophy and there is little need for a rest. Having played the entire West Indies tour and four games of the ongoing series, the forced break for Shikhar Dhawan could not have come at a better time.

Having struggled in the middle-order, India might have been tempted to promote KL Rahul but Dhawan's forced absence now means Ajinkya Rahane is likely to open. As the Man of the Series in India's previous ODI series, the right-hander was unlucky to miss out in the first four games and will look to make the most of the opportunity in the final ODI.

Middle-order

Pandey made the most of his opportunity and looks set to continue

It has been either a feast or famine so far for Virat Kohli in the ODI series. While he has been dismissed for two single digit scores, he has over 200 runs in the other two games. He will be looking to finish the series on a high and whitewash Sri Lanka in the ODIs, just as they did in Tests.

Having been brought into the side for the fourth ODI, Manish Pandey made the most of his opportunity as he scored an unbeaten fifty and stitched a crucial century partnership with Dhoni to help India post 375/5. That and the fact that he is in a rich vein of form means that Pandey looks set to retain his spot and that might come at the expense of the struggling KL Rahul.

If there is one Indian player who is not in any danger of losing his spot apart from captain Virat Kohli, it has to be MS Dhoni. Even if the chairman of selectors doesn't think so, Dhoni has the backing of both Kohli and coach Ravi Shastri, who was effusive in his praise of the 36-year-old wicketkeeper. It helps that Dhoni has been in stunning form with the bat. Not only has he not been dismissed at all in the series, but he has guided India home in two chases as well and broken a world record while equaling another.

All-rounders

Pandya will be looking to contribute with the bat

After being rested for the fourth ODI, Kedar Jadhav is likely to regain his spot in the fifth and final ODI, should India decide to continue with their process of experimentation. Although he has already established himself and all but secured a spot in the side, Jadhav will know that with the return of Manish Pandey, he will have to be on his toes, if he is to keep his place on the side.

While Hardik Pandya hasn't impressed with the bat so far in the series, he has proven himself to be the ideal all-rounder as he has not only bowled his quota of overs but also picked up handy wickets as well. Four wickets in four matches are excellent numbers for the 23-year-old, especially for an all-rounder, when you consider how economical he has been as well.

Spinners

Kuldeep looks set to retain his place in the side

While the decision to rest the experienced duo of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja might have backfired, Axar Patel has ensured that India haven't missed them at all. The 23-year-old all-rounder from Gujarat has been incredibly effective with his slow left-arm orthodox.

With six wickets in four matches, not only has he got his name in the wickets column but also proven to be incredibly economical as well, performing two roles exceptionally. Expect him to continue as the side's primary spinner in the final ODI as well.

Having played just one match in the series so far, Kuldeep Yadav is likely to continue as the second choice spinner in the side. The fact that he has been difficult to pick will go in his favor and he looks set to play ahead of Yuzvendra Chahal who bowled in the first three ODIs alongside Axar.

Seamers

Bumrah already has 13 wickets from the first four ODIs

Jasprit Bumrah has had an exceptional start to his ODI career and will be looking to add a world record to his name in the final ODI against Sri Lanka. With 13 wickets already in the bag, he is five shy of Amit Mishra's world record of most wickets in a five-match ODI series.

Having already registered his career-best ODI figures in the series, Bumrah will be hoping to finish with a flourish and cement his place in the side even amidst the experimentation that is likely to happen over the course of the upcoming series.

After an impressive debut, Shardul Thakur looks set to retain his place in the side and he will have one more chance to audition for a place in the squad for the upcoming series against Australia.