India vs Sri Lanka 2020: 1st T20I - India's Predicted Playing XI

Team India, who endured a scintillating run in 2019 will look to make a winning start when they host Sri Lanka in the first T20I t the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati on January 5 (Sunday). With the ICC T20 World Cup looming large, the Men in Blues will look to pick the gear early to settle the playing XI.

The series will witness the return of Jasprit Bumrah who missed the home season due to a lower back injury. The No. 1 fast bowler will hope to hit the strides from the word go and lead India’s pace attack. Shikhar Dhawan will make a comeback from injury, and with Rohit Sharma given some rest, the southpaw needs to take the onus of providing a perfect start.

Otherwise, the playing XI is likely to remain almost the same as India fielded against West Indies.

Here is the predicted playing XI of Team India for the first T20I against Sri Lanka at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati:

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Shikhar Dhawan

Shikhar Dhawan is coming from an injury break and will be desperate to put runs under his belt. He copped up criticisms after his poor returns with the bat while many argued that losing Test spot has hurt his confidence.

The southpaw will look to break the shackles and come all guns blazing against the Islanders.

KL Rahul

KL Rahul silenced his critics with quality knocks in the last series against West Indies. He failed to offer consistency and came under severe criticisms for his below-par performances, But the stylish batsman from Karnataka bounced back in style.

He will hope to keep up the excellent work in the upcoming series and cement his spot in the playing XI.

Virat Kohli

Team India skipper Virat Kohli has been the most consistent performer for his side in the last decade. In 2019, Kohli finished as the highest run-scorer in this format of the game scoring runs at ease.

The talismanic run-scorer will look to begin the year in the same manner and lead the team from the front as he has been doing over the years.

Shreyas Iyer

Shreyas Iyer has offered responsibility and consistency ever since he made a return to the India squad after the ICC World Cup. The Delhi Capitals skipper knows how to pace the innings and can also accelerate as and when needed.

Iyer, who copped some criticism for not playing a Ranji Trophy game, will be desperate to make the bat do the talking when the Men in Blues locks horns with Sri Lanka.

Rishabh Pant

Rishabh Pant finally answered his critics with a fine knock against West Indies. But the highly-talented Delhi lad needs to offer consistency as the management looks forward to him as a long-term option.

Moreover, Pant also needs to work hard on his wicket-keeping skills which have come under the scanner more often than not. With a lot of important series lined-up, the youngster needs to buckle up to retain his spot in the playing XI.

Shivam Dube

The young all-rounder from Mumbai has grabbed eyeballs with his powerful hitting. Shivam Dube has showcased his batting talent in the limited opportunities that have come his way. With Hardik Pandya still recovering, Dube needs to make the most of the chances to be in the good books of the selectors.

Ravindra Jadeja

Ravindra Jadeja is currently in the best of his form with both bat and ball. He has improved his batting a lot in the last few months and has knocked valuable runs every time he has come out to bat.

Besides, he is a champion bowler hitting the perfect line and length and chipping in with useful breakthroughs which makes him one of the best all-rounder around.

Washington Sundar

Washington Sundar has emerged as India’s powerplay bowler who has a happy knack of providing early breakthroughs. The Tamil Nadu-born cricketer hits the right areas making it difficult for the batsman with the new ball skidding.

Besides, he can also score some valuable runs down the order which comes handy for any side he plays.

Yuzvendra Chahal

The leg-spinner from Haryana has been India’s go-to bowler whenever they need a wicket, and Yuzvendra Chahal has delivered in most occasions. The chess player turned cricketer will hope for an excellent start in 2020 with the ICC T20 World Cup lining ahead in Australia.

Navdeep Saini

Ever since impressing for the first time in the Indian Premier League playing for Royal Challengers Bangalore, Navdeep Saini has grown in strength with each passing game. Saini said it would be a learning curve bowling alongside Bumrah and the duo will look to lead the charge for India as they look to begin the year with a win.

Jasprit Bumrah

Jasprit Bumrah will return to action after a long injury lay-off. India’s No.1 fast bowler will look to bounce back strongly and lead the attack from the front. The cricketer from Gujarat needs to pick up the rhythm quickly with the ICC T20 World Cup looming large.

India will hope Bumrah to be in his strides and do the job he has been doing ever since he bursts onto the international scene.