IND vs SL: India's Test Squad vs Sri Lanka (Predicted)

After playing the T20 series against West Indies, India are set to play three T20 internationals and two Test matches against Sri Lanka at home. Rohit Sharma has been appointed as India’s new full-time white-ball captain, however, India are yet to announce its new full-time Test captain.

As per reports, India will announce its Test captain ahead of the Test series against Sri Lanka. The likes of Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul are in the fray. It will be interesting to see who becomes India’s new full-time Test captain. In this article, we take a look at India’s predicted squad for the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka.

IND vs SL: India’s Test Squad vs Sri Lanka (Predicted)

1. KL Rahul (VC)

KL Rahul has been in pretty good form as far as his Test numbers are concerned. He began the last Test series against South Africa with a heart-warming century in the very first Test. However, he was consistent throughout the series. In 3 Tests, he managed to score 226 runs at 37.67.

There have been reports that KL Rahul might be considered as India’s new Test captain. Nonetheless, he should open the innings in the first Test against Sri Lanka at Punjab Cricket Association Stadium.

2. Rohit Sharma (C)

Rohit Sharma has consistently been in the headlines for all the good reasons. He recently led India to a 3-0 win over West Indies in what was his first ODI assignment as the full-time captain. India would be hoping for a similar result in the upcoming T20 series against West Indies as well. If reports are to be believed, Rohit Sharma is the frontrunner to be India’s new Test captain. Rohit Sharma will turn 35 in April and his fitness could be a concern.

3. Mayank Agarwal

Mayank Agarwal has been able to produce goods every time an opportunity has knocked on his door. The Indian opener, however, had a forgettable outing in South Africa. After playing a valuable knock in the first Test, Agarwal struggled to hit the straps for the rest of the series. In 3 Tests, he managed to score 135 runs at an average of 22.50. Nevertheless, you expect him to be picked for the Test series against Sri Lanka.

4. Virat Kohli

The former Indian captain is enduring a torrid run with the bat as per the standards he has set for himself. The fans are eagerly waiting for him to notch his next century in international cricket. Kohli scored his last century in November 2019. He would be hoping that he brings out his best in the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka. Kohli showed great grit and composure in the last Test series in South Africa. In 2 Tests, he managed to score 161 runs at an average of 40.25.

5. Shubman Gill

Shubman Gill missed out on the last Test series against South Africa due to injury. He played valuable knocks against New Zealand in the last home Test series. In 2 Tests, he managed to score 144 runs at an average of 36.00. Recent reports suggest that the management is likely to drop the likes of Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane for the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka.

Also, the team management is planning to slot in Shubman Gill in the middle-order. It shouldn’t come as a surprise if Gill bats at number 4 against Sri Lanka.

6. Shreyas Iyer

Shreyas Iyer has made a fantastic start to his Test Cricket Career. In his debut Test assignment against New Zealand, Shreyas Iyer managed to score 202 runs in 2 Tests at an average of 50.50, including a century to his name. Iyer didn’t get the opportunity to bat in the next Test series in South Africa but is likely to make the playing XI for the Tests against Sri Lanka.

7. Hanuma Vihari

After missing out on the squad in the home series against New Zealand, Hanuma Vihari made a comeback in the Test series against South Africa. He got to play 1 game and managed to score 60 runs. He will continue to be an important player in India’s middle-order.

8. Ravindra Jadeja

Ravindra Jadeja missed the Test series against South Africa and is unavailable for the ongoing series against West Indies as well due to an injury. However, if reports are to be believed, he will be fit to play ahead of the series against Sri Lanka.

Jadeja is likely to be back on the team for the upcoming series against Sri Lanka. Jadeja last participated in the two-match Test series against New Zealand. He played one Test and managed to score a half-century. With the ball, he picked 5 wickets at 19.40.

9. Rishabh Pant

Rishabh Pant should continue to don the wicket-keeping gloves. He has been in brilliant form as far as Test Cricket is concerned. He played all three Tests against South Africa in the Test series and managed to score 186 runs at an average of 37.20, including a swashbuckling century.

10. Wriddhiman Saha

With Rishabh Pant in the team, Wriddhiman Saha will continue to be picked as a backup wicket-keeping option. There have been reports that he might not be picked for the Test series, however, nothing has been confirmed as of now. Saha recently opted out of Bengal’s Ranji Trophy squad. Whether the team management had a word with him regarding his future isn’t known.

11. Jayant Yadav

India’s premier spinner, Ravichandran Ashwin is unlikely to be part of the Test series against Sri Lanka due to an injury. He will take time to recover and, in his absence, Jayant Yadav should make the cut. He was part of the squad for the Test series against New Zealand and South Africa. Jayant Yadav got the opportunity to play 1 Test against New Zealand. He took 5 wickets at an average of 12.40.

12. Axar Patel

Given that the Test series will be played at home, you expect India to take the third spinner with Axar Patel in the squad. He participated in the Test series against New Zealand and managed to pick 9 wickets in 2 Tests at an average of 15.67. Patel has been an outstanding start to his Test Cricket career. In just 5 Tests, he has managed to pick 36 wickets at an average of 11.9.

13. M Siraj

India are likely to rest both Shami and Bumrah for the home Test series against Sri Lanka. In such circumstances, Siraj would spearhead the pace attack. Since making his Test debut in Australia, Siraj has come too far ahead in his career. He has become an important part of India’s team in all three formats. In 12 Tests, he has managed to pick 36 wickets at 29.6.

14. Umesh Yadav

Umesh Yadav is considered a priority in overseas Tests but remains a mainstay in the home Tests. He should be part of the squad for the Test series against Sri Lanka. Umesh Yadav played one Test out of three against South Africa, picking 2 wickets. His recent form isn’t too great but you expect him to play the playing XI.

15. Prasidh Krishna

Prasidh Krishna showcased his bowling prowess in the recently concluded ODI series against West Indies. Krishna bowled one of the best spells of his ODI career in the second match of the series. He picked 4 wickets for just 12 runs in 9 overs. He finished the series as the highest wicket-taker with 9 wickets in 3 matches at an average of 7.56. In the absence of Shami and Bumrah, Prasidh Krishna is expected to receive a call-up for the home Test series against Sri Lanka.