After the conclusion of the T20I series against the West Indies, India will next face Sri Lanka. While the assignment will begin with the T20I encounters, the focus would later shift to the Tests. In this article, we take a look at India’s playing XI for the T20I series against Sri Lanka. Rohit Sharma will lead the squad.
The first T20I against Sri Lanka will be on 24th February at Lucknow. The next two games will be at Dharmasala in Himachal Pradesh. India will be without the likes of KL Rahul while both Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant will be rested. Before looking at the possible playing XI, here is a look at the squad that has been selected by BCCI:
T20I squad – Rohit Sharma (C), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shreyas Iyer, Surya Kumar Yadav, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan (wk), Venkatesh Iyer, Deepak Chahar, Deepak Hooda, R Jadeja, Y Chahal, R Bishnoi, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohd. Siraj, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Harshal Patel, Jasprit Bumrah(VC), Avesh Khan
Openers: Rohit Sharma (C) and Ishan Kishan (WK)
Team India is likely to continue with Ishan Kishan and Rohit Sharma at the top order in India’s playing XI for the T20I series against Sri Lanka. With Pant not a part of the series, Ishan Kishan will be the first-choice wicket-keeper. His best position will be to bat alongside Rohit Sharma at the top. If he fails, India will have other options such as Sanju Samson.
Middle-Order: Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shreyas Iyer, and Suryakumar Yadav
It will be interesting to see as to which player will take Virat Kohli’s No.3 slot. Considering Ruturaj Gaikwad has been a part of the recent squads, he should get the priority. Moreover, he is a good player of spin and will be helpful for India in the middle-overs. Shreyas Iyer and SKY are likely to form the core of the middle-order. SKY is a certain inclusion while it needs to be seen if Shreyas gets a chance.
All-Rounders: Venkatesh Iyer and Ravindra Jadeja
Venkatesh Iyer and Ravindra Jadeja will be the all-rounders in India’s playing XI for the T20I series against Sri Lanka. After his performances in recent games, Venkatesh Iyer will get a few more chances with Team India. Since he is a left-hander, the Madhya Pradesh all-rounder will be preferred because Pant will not be part of the series. On the other hand, it will be a comeback for Ravindra Jadeja. It would not be a surprise if he bats higher up the order. With Jaddu back in the XI, India will have to drop one of the two spinners who played against the West Indies.
Bowlers: Harshal Patel, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah and Yuzvendra Chahal.
Harshal Patel and Bhuvi have been pretty good against West Indies and will continue to take their spot in the XI. The likes of Deepak Chahar, Mohammed Siraj and Avesh Khan will offer adequate backup to the duo. Jasprit Bumrah will return to the XI and this time, he will be the vice-captain of the squad. One of Ravi Bishnoi or Chahal has to be dropped and it is most probable that the youngster will have to make way for the seniors. Kuldeep Yadav will also be a part of the series and hence, he could also get a chance.
