India vs Sri Lanka, 1st T20I Probable Playing XI: An Opportunity

IND v SL: Sri Lanka will face India in the three-match T20I series at Ekana Stadium, Lucknow from 24th February. Both Sri Lanka and India finished their previous T20I series on 20th February. 

India has been struck by a wave of injuries and that too to key players ahead of a long year. The recent hits are Deepak Chahar and Suryakumar Yadav who will miss the T20I series against the Island nation. 

Even though there are a lot of matches to play for India before the T20 World Cup, the Rahul Dravid-led management has made it clear that every decision being taken is considering the tournament that will happen in Australia later in the year. 

The key additions in this series for India are Sanju Samson, Ravindra Jadeja, and Jasprit Bumrah. All three are likely to play the entire series to get some game time. While Samson will need to prove himself, Jadeja is coming after an injury break while Bumrah comes after getting a rest. 

With Suryakumar Yadav ruled out, India's top six might look like this in the 1st T20I - Rohit Sharma, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan, Sanju Samson, and Venkatesh Iyer. 

Gaikwad and Shreyas only played one game against West Indies will be backed to play all three games to get game time. Ishan Kishan had a poor series while opening against West Indies and might be tried at number four in place of Rishabh Pant. 

V Iyer had a terrific series against West Indies batting at number 6 will continue to play the finisher role along with Sanju Samson at number five playing the role of Suryakumar Yadav. 

Ravindra Jadeja will follow at number seven to add extra power in the lower order. With Deepak Chahar not playing, Harshal Patel will ask to bat at eight. Harshal too had a stellar last series with West Indian batters not able to pick his variations in all three games. 

The management will have to decide whether to give Avesh Khan his second game or bring back Bhuvneshwar Kumar to partner with Jasprit Bumrah. Mohammad Siraj is also in line to get some game time. 

Ravi Bishnoi played all three T20Is in the last series and gave good returns. He has given both  Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav a run for their money. Despite getting the trio of leg spinners in the squad, India can only play of them and it is likely to be Bishnoi. 

By the looks of it, Indian management has already locked in the core players who will be flying to Australia but the support players are yet to be decided. This series is yet another opportunity for them to showcase how well they can fit the roles given. 

Also Read: IPL 2022 Auction Overview List Of All Players & Teams

India Probable Playing XI - Rohit Sharma, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shreyas Iyer, Ishan Kishan, Sanju Samson, Venkatesh Iyer, Ravindra Jadeja, Harshal Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd Siraj/Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Ravi Bishnoi/Yuzvendra Chahal