India's Strongest Playing XI For The ODI Series Against Sri Lanka

With as many as five uncapped players receiving the nod for India’s upcoming tour of Sri Lanka and Shikhar Dhawan picked to lead the side, it was not a surprise from the BCCI. It was already on the cards as India’s several first-choice players would be busy plying their trade in Test cricket in England. India’s tour of Sri Lanka comprises of three ODIs and as many T20Is, set to occur in Colombo from the 13th to the 25th of July.

It would also be the first time that the Indian team sends two separate outfits at the same time to different continents. For some time now, the men in blue have produced an enormous amount of international level cricketers, who get match ready by playing in the Indian Premier League and the various domestic tournaments. Thus, even with the first-choice players missing, the tourists should fancy their chances in Sri Lanka.

We take a look at India’s strongest playing XI in the ODI series against Sri Lanka:

Shikhar Dhawan (c):

Shikhar Dhawan, India’s stand-in captain, has been quite consistent in the One-day international format. Shikhar Dhawan had been in sublime form in the first leg of IPL 2021, accumulating 380 runs in eight matches and delivering the Delhi Capitals outstanding starts with Prithvi Shaw. The southpaw mainly stayed calm during run chases.

Shikhar Dhawan also fared well against England in the recent ODI series at home, scoring 169 runs in three ODIs at a healthy average of 56. With the additional responsibility of captaincy in place, the 35-year old should be able to produce the required goods more consistently.

Prithvi Shaw:

Prithvi Shaw had been in terrific form in the initial leg of IPL 2021 after a forgettable season last year. Along with Shikhar Dhawan, Prithvi Shaw has formed a formidable opening stand for the Delhi Capitals. Shaw ended the first leg of IPL 2021 with 308 runs in eight games at 38.50, maintaining a strike rate of 166.48 with three half-centuries to his name.

Before IPL 2021, the 21-year old topped the run-scoring charts in the 2020-21 Vijay Hazare Trophy. Shaw made 827 runs in eight matches at a stunning average of 165.40, striking at 138.29. The right0handed batsman hit four centuries and a fifty and would look to make his opening combination with Shikhar Dhawan formidable in the international arena too. Shaw also had a strike rate of 102.44 in the three ODIs so far.

Suryakumar Yadav:

Suryakumar Yadav finally got his chance to wear the national colours in the recent home T20I series against England. Suryakumar Yadav impressed instantly impressed by scoring a half-century and playing a cameo in the decider to lead the men in blue to a win. The 30-year old was added to the ODI squad as well due to Shreyas Iyer’s injury; however, he could not get a game.

While Suryakumar Yadav struggled in the IPL for the Mumbai Indians this year, he remains a highly promising player. The right-handed batsman also had a productive season of the Vijay Hazare Trophy this year, amassing 332 runs in five games at 66.40, striking at 151.59. Hence, Yadav would likely bat at number three in Sri Lanka.

Sanju Samson (wk):

Sanju Samson has had a forgettable international career in his limited appearances. While Sanju Samson is a highly dangerous player when it comes to the IPL, the right-handed batsman loses on on runs when it comes to playing international cricket. In seven T20Is, Samson has only 83 runs at 11.86 with a high score of 23. But Sanju Samson is yet another promising cricketer who needs this opportunity in Sri Lanka and will likely be the turning point of his career.

The 26-year old showed signs of batting responsibly in IPL 2021 as the management handed him the captaincy of the Rajasthan Royals. Samson, who also keeps wickets, will likely start the series and make his ODI debut. With Ishan Kishan also selected in the squad and having an international debut to remember, it is crucial that Samson, if given a chance in the first ODI, creates a massive impression.

Manish Pandey:

Since debuting in international cricket in 2015, Manish Pandey has stayed in and out of the side due to inconsistencies, lack of opportunities, and injuries. Manish Pandey last played an ODI in February 2020 against New Zealand and averages 35.14 in 26 games; however, it’s fair to say he has not received enough opportunities.

Simultaneously, the right-handed batsman has not done enough justice to his talent in the IPL either. The 31-year old has failed to produce runs consistently and thrown his wickets away. But Pandey is still likely to start the series and number five seems to be the best batting position for him. He has to use this opportunity to remain in the frame of the Indian selectors.

Hardik Pandya:

Hardik Pandya has been doing well in the One-day international arena ever since his return in November 2020. Not only has Hardik Pandya provided the much-required fireworks, but the all-rounder has also batted maturely. But the 27-year old also struggled in the IPL for the Mumbai Indians with the willow, like his several teammates.

But having performed well in One-day international cricket recently, Hardik will get the nod and play as a seam-bowling all-rounder. But he is unlikely to bowl until urgently required for the team due to his shoulder niggles. The Baroda-born cricketer delivered only nine overs in three ODIs against England and did not do so in IPL 2021.

Krunal Pandya:

Krunal Pandya had a fantastic start to his ODI career as he smashed a quick-fire fifty and added an unbeaten 112 with KL Rahul to lift India to a winning total. Krunal Pandya also took a wicket even though he conceded 59 runs in ten overs. However, that was his only scalp in the entire series and the left-arm spinner’s bowling was poor for the rest of it.

While Krunal Pandya provides the batting depth and he was outstanding in the Vijay Hazare Trophy as well, mustering 388 runs in five matches at 129.33, his bowling needs to be effective enough as well. The 30-year old could become a liability as Sri Lanka batsmen could use his bowling to relieve the pressure created by the other bowlers.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar:

Bhuvneshwar Kumar, appointed as Shikhar Dhawan’s deputy, will undeniably be the leader of the pace attack. Bhuvneshwar Kumar created massive troubles for the English batsmen at home by swinging the new ball extravagantly and nailing the yorkers at the death. The right-arm seamer snared six scalps in three ODIs at 22.50.

But the 30-year old was not able to deliver the threatening performances in IPL 2021, managing only three scalps in five matches at 57.67. Kumar also has fitness issues; hence, managing that would be crucial as the tourists need him against the unpredictable hosts.

Deepak Chahar:

Deepak Chahar will likely share the new ball with Bhuvneshwar Kumar in the ODI series against Sri Lanka. However, Deepak Chahar’s three ODI appearances have only produced two wickets at 64.5 and the last he played the format was back in December 2019. Hence, it remains unpredictable how he would come.

Nevertheless, the right-arm seamer is one of the best swing bowlers in white-ball cricket and performed outstandingly for the Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2021. Chahar picked up eight wickets in seven matches at 24.13 with two four-wicket hauls. Hence, the 28-year old and Kumar could form a lethal new-ball bowling attack.

Navdeep Saini:

Navdeep Saini could likely be the third pacer that the selectors pick to face Sri Lanka at the start. But Navdeep Saini’s has a poor ODI record thus far, taking only six wickets in seven matches at 75.67, along with an economy rate of 6.98. The right-arm pacer could not deliver good performances in the only game in IPL 2021, conceding 27 runs in two overs without a wicket.

Though the 28-year old’s bowling has sheer or raw pace, Saini is not disciplined enough and has a habit of unleashing a beamer or two when under pressure. Though Navdeep Saini is likely to start the series, the management could replace him with Chetan Sakariya if he does not deliver.

Yuzvendra Chahal:

Yuzvendra Chahal would most likely start as the frontline spinner for India in the ODI series. Yuzvendra Chahal has been a tad inconsistent in his recent international games, mainly in the One-day arena, not creating enough chances or being threatening enough. Nevertheless, the leggie has more than a decent record in the format.

In 54 matches, the Haryana-born cricketer has 92 scalps at 27.29, with four four wicket-hauls and a couple of fifers. But Chahal could not deliver impressive performances in IPL 2021 either; hence, he needs to create an immediate impression in the ODI series since the likes of Kuldeep Yadav, Rahul Chahar, and Varun Chakravarthy are waiting in the wings.

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