Sri Lanka vs India 1st T20I: Probable Playing XI
What's the story
The men in blue are heading for their next assignment after wrapping up the tour of South Africa in style. With senior players being rested, second-string India will take on Sri Lanka in the Nidahas Trophy opener. The tournament is being played to mark the 70th anniversary of Sri Lanka's independence. Here is India's probable XI for the first T20I in Colombo.
Seniors rested
Rohit to lead second string India in Sri Lanka
Selectors have opted to give the senior players a much-needed break after the 2-month long tour of South Africa and are looking to blood youngsters in this series. Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni, Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Kuldeep Yadav have been rested. Rohit will lead the side in Kohli's absence.
Openers
Rohit and Dhawan will begin proceedings for India
Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan will open the innings for India. Dhawan will look to continue from where he left after finishing as the top scorer in the T20I series against South Africa. Rohit, on the other hand, will look to get some runs under his belt after a disastrous campaign in South Africa.
Middle order
Raina, Pandey and Rishabh Pant
In Kohli's absence, India's T20 specialist Raina will shoulder the task of holding the middle order together. He had a successful comeback series in South Africa. Manish Pandey will look to cement his place in the side. Rishabh Pant will want to convey to the selectors that he is the rightful heir to Dhoni's throne.
Lower middle order
Dinesh Karthik, Axar Patel and Washington Sundar
India are likely to go with a batting heavy line-up and Dinesh Karthik's experience will be key down the order. However, Karthik is unlikely to be the man behind the stumps. We believe Rishabh Pant would be given the wicket-keeping duties. Axar Patel and Washington Sundar would be the two all-rounders in the side.
Bowlers
Chahal, Unadkat and Shardul Thakur
Yuzvendra Chahal will shoulder the task of leading India's spin attack. After a wonderful ODI series in South Africa, the spinner had a rough time in the T20Is and will be looking to bounce back. Unadkat and Shardul Thakur will be the two pacers in the side, with both looking to make a mark in Bumrah and Bhuvi's absence.