Sanjay Manjrekar Picks India's Probable T20I XI For The Sri Lanka Tour

Former Indian batsman Sanjay Manjrekar has named India’s probable XI for the upcoming T20I series in Sri Lanka. The BCCI has to name a second-string but a promising squad for the limited-overs visit to Sri Lanka, set to commence in July. With the main squad to participate in the Test series in England, one would see plenty of missing faces for the three ODIs and as many T20Is in Sri Lanka. Meanwhile, Sanjay Manjrekar has picked a host of new faces and unexpected names, including earmarking Manish Pandey for a middle-order role.

Sanjay Manjrekar started by installing Shikhar Dhawan and Prithvi Shaw as the pair was the most fearsome in IPL 2021, scoring prolifically and at a healthy rate. The 55-year old believes that they would walk into any T20I XI. At number three, Manjrekar slotted Suryakumar Yadav, who has been highly dependable for the Mumbai Indians and been instrumental to their success. He moved on to position Ishan Kishan at number four over Sanju Samson.

It was indeed a selection surprise as Ishan Kishan had a forgettable tournament, while Sanju Samson, the Rajasthan Royals captain, was amongst the highest run-getters of IPL 2021. Manjrekar pulled off another surprise by including Manish Pandey, who struggled for the SunRisers Hyderabad to score at a brisk rate and deliver impactful performances. “Ishan Kishan will be my wicket-keeper batsman and not Sanju Samson. I would like to give Ishan a go at No.4. Manish Pandey will be my No.5,” Manjrekar told ESPN Cricinfo.

Chetan Sakariya amongst the pacers Sanjay Manjrekar prefers in the bowling attack:

At number six, Sanjay Manjrekar chose swashbuckling all-rounder Hardik Pandya, who the selectors did not select in the Test squad for the England tour. The cricketer-turned-commentator backed the likes of Rahul Tewatia and Rahul Chahar to make an impact in the T20Is, staking a claim for the T20 World Cup. Manjrekar supported Bhuvneshwar Kumar to headline the bowling attack and wishes to see Chetan Sakariya in the line-up as he impressed in IPL 2021 for the Rajasthan Royals.

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