IND vs SL 2017, 3rd T20I: India's Predicted XI

With India already pocketing the series by winning the second T20I by 88 runs at the Holkar Stadium, the team management will be keen to test their bench strength ahead of the all-important South Africa series starting next month in the third T20I at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

The third T20I will also be run fest like the first two T20I’s, as the bowlers will have a tough time.

India won the first two T20I’s convincingly, as Rohit Sharma and India team broke array of records in the second game. The stand-in skipper Rohit marched on to score the fastest T20I century in just 35 balls alongside South Africa’s David Miller, as team India registered the second highest team total, as they posted 260 runs on the board.

Sri Lanka started off well but lost the momentum, as Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav bamboozled the Lankan batsmen in the middle-overs. It will be an opportunity for the youngsters to make a mark and be in the good books of the selectors when Rohit Sharma would lead the field along with his boys at the historic Wankhede.

Also Read: Selectors Back Spin Pair of Chahal-Kuldeep Ahead of Ashwin-Jadeja

Let’s take a look at India’s Predicted XI:

Lokesh Rahul:

The cricketer from Karnataka has proved once again he can also score quick runs, as he muscled the ball to score two fifties in the first two T20I’s. Rahul looked good in both the games, scoring runs with good looking shots and will be keen to continue his form in the last match of the long home season.

Rohit Sharma (C):

The stand-in skipper Rohit Sharma has proved that he is well capable of taking responsibilities and can score runs when put under pressure. Rohit followed his third double hundred in the ODI’s with a magnificent 118 runs knock off just 42 balls and will like to continue his good form ahead of the all-important South Africa series.

Shreyas Iyer:

The young batsman from Mumbai has shown a lot of prospect in the limited opportunities he has got in this series. Coming from good knocks, Shreyas Iyer will be eager to help his case in front of the team management for the upcoming tour to South Africa.

Also Read: Chief Selector, MSK Prasad Backs MS Dhoni Till 2019 World Cup

Manish Pandey:

The middle-order batsman Manish, who has been inconsistent will look to give a good shot given an opportunity to bat in front of a relatively weak Lankan bowling attack. He scored some delightful shots in the first game and will like to continue his form.

Deepak Hooda:

The all-rounder from Baroda is coming from a brilliant domestic performance and has proved his worth in all the departments in the Indian Premier League (IPL). The debutant will look to make a name for himself against a relatively weak Sri Lankan team and be in the good books of the selectors.

MS Dhoni:

Dhoni has time and again proved why he is such a crucial member of this squad, and this series was no different. From scoring runs to doing his job behind the stumps, the former India captain has been of top quality and will look to continue his performance.

Hardik Pandya:

The young all-rounder has had a good time on the field in this calendar year and will look to finish off in style while India takes on Sri Lanka in the last match of the series. From being a rookie to be a crucial member of the squad, Pandya has come a long way in this past one year.

Also Read: Yuvraj Singh Flattered After Watching Rohit Sharma’s Blistering Knock

Kuldeep Yadav:

The young left-arm leg-spinner has been doing wonders for this team and has been successful in keeping out India’s two most successful spinners, Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin.

He has been a match-winner for India and has proved to be decisive in the middle-overs picking wickets at regular intervals.

Basil Thampi:

The young fast bowler grabbed everybody’s eyeballs during his stint with Gujarat Lions in the IPL, and since then he hasn’t looked back. He was immediately roped into India A squad and had performed well under the watchful eyes of Rahul Dravid.

Thampi will be eager make an immediate mark in the international arena, as he will have no pressure with India already pocketing the series.

Yuzvendra Chahal:

The young wrist-spinner has been an absolute match-winner for this India side picking wickets at regular intervals. In the previous match, he turned things into India’s favour picking the all-important wicket of Upul Tharanga and will look to continue his job.

Jasprit Bumrah:

The young fast bowler has had a stunning limited-overs career putting an end to India’s death bowling worries which has earned him a call in the Test squad for the South Africa series. He will continue to do his job as he has done for the past 12 months.