India vs Sri Lanka 1st T20I: Probable Playing XI
India will aim for another series win after their recent Test and ODI series triumph against the visiting Sri Lankan team. With the likes of Virat Kohli, Shikhar Dhawan, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar rested, the hosts go into the 1st of three-match T20I series at Cuttack, with a young side led by Rohit Sharma. Let's look at the probable playing XI for both the sides.
Who all would be part of India's Playing XI?
With many players rested ahead of the upcoming tour of South Africa, the T20I series could provide an opportunity for youngsters to prove themselves. The squad includes youngsters like Basil Thampi, Jaydev Unadkat, Deepak Hooda, Mohammed Siraj. India's probable XI- Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Manish Pandey, MS Dhoni, Hardik Pandya, Washington Sundar, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj.
1,500 runs milemark within reach for Rohit Sharma
Rohit Sharma is 15 runs short of becoming the only second Indian to reach 1,500 T20I runs, a milestone he can achieve in the first T20I. Virat is the leading run scorer for India in T20Is.
Malinga and Lakmal out of T20I squad
While veteran pacer Lasith Malinga and Suranga Lakmal have been rested for the T20I series, Kusal Perera, out of action since June due to injury, is set to make a comeback to the Sri Lankan side. SL probable playing XI - Niroshan Dickwella, Upul Tharanga, Kusal Perera, Angelo Mathews, Asela Gunaratne, Thisara Perera, Dasun Shanaka, Sachith Pathirana, Chaturanga de Silva, Nuwan Pradeep, Dushmanth Chameera.
Bad memories associated with last Cuttack T20I
Only one T20I has been played at Cuttack's Barabati stadium so far, in 2015-16. In that match, playing against South Africa, India were bowled out for 92 and the visitors won by 6 wickets and 17 balls to spare.
