India

Picture Credit: Twitter/BCCI

With Team India set to play a thrilling 3-match T20I series against Sri Lanka in July, the youngsters will have an opportunity to put up their case for a place in India's squad for upcoming T20 World Cup in October-November. Some of the players, who have been in exceptional form in domestic circuit and IPL, will be rewarded with a place in the playing XI in the upcoming T20Is against Sri Lanka. Let us have a look at the ideal playing XI that the Men in Blue can opt for in the series, starting July 22.

1. Shikhar Dhawan (c)

The veteran Indian opener has fallen down the pecking order in India's T20 setup, with KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma and even Virat Kohli ahead of him in the race for opening slot in the national side. With all of senior members unavailable, Shikhar Dhawan will finally have a chance to bat at top of the order and play his new-style aggressive brand of cricket that he displayed in first half of IPL 2021, where he scored 380 runs in 8 matches at a strike-rate of 134.27.

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2. Prithvi Shaw

Team India would be inclined to continue with the Delhi Capitals' pair of Dhawan and Shaw, who were might impressive in IPL 2021. The duo compliments each other's game pretty well and the 21-year-old can continue to play his free flowing style of cricket with experienced Dhawan at the other end. The explosive youngster had amassed 308 runs in 8 matches this season at a destructive strike-rate of 166.48. While Padikkal might also be an option, it is expected that Shaw will get a nod ahead of him.

3. Suryakumar Yadav

The 30-year-old, famously known as SKY, has certainly gone from strength to strength to become one of the first-choice batsmen for the national side in T20 format. Suryakumar Yadav impressed everyone in his debut series against England, where he smashed 89 runs in 2 innings at an extremely impressive strike-rate of 185.42. After a not-so-great IPL 2021, the series against Sri Lanka will be very crucial for the stylish cricketer in his bid to cement his place in the Indian side.

4. Sanju Samson (wk)

The Kerala wicketkeeper has been touted as one of the best talents in the country. However, Sanju Samson has failed to live up to the expectations, having scored only 83 runs in the 7 T20Is for the country. With Rishabh Pant unavailable, this would be a golden opportunity for the RR skipper to finally unleash his potential at the international circuit. The 26-year-old is coming on the back of some good performances in IPL 2021 and would look to continue that for the national side.

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5. Ishan Kishan

The flamboyant left-handed batsman announced his arrival in international cricket in style after scoring a fearless fifty against England in his first T20I. Things have gone slightly upside down for Ishan Kishan since then after a poor start to IPL 2021 where he was later dropped by Mumbai Indians. However, despite the recent slump, the 22-year-old remains in national team's scheme of things and he would definitely want to repay the faith, if he gets a chance in the playing XI.

6. Hardik Pandya

The MI all-rounder has had a tough time with his injuries in last 12 months which has resulted in him being dropped from India's Test side. However, despite being not fully fit to ball, Hardik Pandya's destructive powers with the bat are very rare and unique for Indian side. The series against Sri Lanka is going to be very important for the 27-year-old as the only way he can silence his critics is by performing on the field.

7. Krunal Pandya

The elder Pandya brother proved his utility with both bat and ball in the 18 T20Is he has played for India. With 121 runs and 14 wickets, Krunal has certainly proved his mettle at the highest level. The 30-year-old gives the much-needed balance to the Men in Blue with his all-round skills and would certainly be in contention for India's T20 World Cup squad as well, provided he does well in this series.

8. Bhuvneshwar Kumar

The experienced pacer's career has been on a downward trajectory due to his frequent injuries in last couple of years. However, Bhuvneshwar Kumar has proved that he is still a lethal bowler in the limited number of matches he has played for national side and franchise in recent times. With 45 wickets in 48 T20Is, the right-arm bowler will hope to add more scalps to his impressive numbers in the shortest format of the game.

Also Read: India’s probable playing XI for 3-match ODI series against Sri Lanka

9. Harshal Patel

The 30-year-old all-rounder is likely to make his debut for India in the series against Sri Lanka after an impressive IPL 2021 campaign. Harshal Patel took 17 wickets in only 7 matches and established himself as one of the best death bowlers in the tournament. He has certainly developed some new skills in his armoury and has an ability to contribute with bat as well. Considering all these factors, Team India will definitely want to give Harshal a chance in Sri Lanka tour as they look to cover all the bases for the forthcoming World Cup.

10. Deepak Chahar

The 28-year-old seamer is one of the most deadly new-ball bowlers in the world right now. He has the unique ability to take some early wickets and can put the opposition on the backfoot. Deepak Chahar has already taken 18 wickets in 13 T20Is for the country and will certainly add a few more on the Sri Lanka tour. Coming on the back of some impressive spells in IPL 2021, Chahar would certainly be raring high with confidence.

11. Rahul Chahar

The MI leggie has certainly leapfrogged Yuzvendra Chahal to go ahead in the pecking order in recent times. After a good series against England, Rahul Chahar continued his scintillating bowling in IPL 2021, where he bamboozled the batsmen with his wrist-spin taking 11 wickets in 7 matches. The series against Sri Lanka would be crucial for the 21-year-old youngster as he tries to push his case to become India's first-choice spinner for the world cup.