India vs Sri Lanka 2020: 2nd T20I – India’s Predicted Playing XI

After a complete washout in the first game in Guwahati, Team India will be raring to go when they lock horns with Sri Lanka in the second game of the series at the Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore. The Men in Blues will be keen to take an unassailable lead and start the year with a win against the Islanders.

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The management is likely to drop experienced Ravindra Jadeja and go for Kuldeep Yadav considering the presence of left-handed batters in the Sri Lankan line-up. Also, this game will mark the return of Jasprit Bumrah, who long wait extended after the abandoned match in Assam.

Otherwise, the set-up is likely to remain the same as India have fielded against West Indies in the last series. The only change is that Rohit Sharma will be missing out and Shikhar Dhawan will slot in alongside KL Rahul at the top.

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

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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. Dhawan will have to score runs to retain his place in the playing XI with KL Rahul and Rohit Sharma both in swashbuckling form.

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 with the ICC T20 World Cup looming large.

Virat Kohli

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 and will be eyeing the same in this calendar year.

After a washout in the first T20I in Guwahati, Kohli will be desperate to get going and take the lead in the series leading the team from the front. The management will also want Kohli to be in full flow with a handful of important series lined up including the World T20.

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.

The 26-year-old has the talent to shine in the blue jersey, and the management will hope he deliver the goods for India.

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. With Sri Lanka boasting a lot of left-handed batsmen, Sundar will be the go-to bowler for Virat Kohli.

Kuldeep Yadav

The left-arm spinner from Uttar Pradesh had a challenging year after batsmen churned easy runs out of him during the IPL and the World Cup that followed. He lost his rhythm entirely and had to sit out of the playing XI.

But with the new year, Kuldeep Yadav will look hit the strides and return to his best. India will want him to be in form with the ICC T20 World Cup to come in Australia in October.

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.

Saini has shown a lot of potentials to be India’s next generation of fast bowlers and the will have to step up on these occasions to be in the good books of the selectors.

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. After a complete washout in the first game, Bumrah will be eager to get into the field in Indore.

Shardul Thakur

Shardul Thakur has been in the fringes for quite some time now; however, hasn’t managed to cement his spot in the playing XI. The ongoing series against India will be the perfect opportunity for the Mumbai-born fast bowler to showcase his strengths and the seal the deal with the management opting a safety-first approach with the pacers.