How Team India could lineup for the first game of Nidahas Trophy
As many as five new faces were named in the 15 member squad for the Nidahas Trophy in Sri Lanka that also includes Bangladesh.
Rohit Sharma has been named the skipper in place of Virat Kohli who has been given much deserved rest after a hectic tour of South Africa. Kohli along with MS Dhoni, Bumrah, Bhuvi, Kuldeep and Hardik Pandya are among the first team regulars who have been rested for the island tour.
New faces like Vijay Shankar and Deepak Hooda could make their debut at the international stage while youngsters such as Rishabh Pant, Washington Sundar and Mohammad Siraj who have played a handful of games for the country would want to press their case for a permanent spot in the team.
Openers
Sharma and Dhawan have been the stalwarts in the limited overs' setup. The pair has provided early impetus by scoring big in the powerplay.
Now with the added responsibility of Captain and Vice-Captain respectively, both have to make sure that India are off to a flier.
Whenever the openers do well, it always helps the others to bat around them and get to a good total or chase one down.
The consistency with which these two bat is second to none and if one of them stays until the back end, the team ends up on the winning side more often than not.
Sharma's T20I record as a skipper has been flawless so far having won all the four matches he has captained in. He could also take a cue from the fact that three of those were against the hosts, Sri Lanka.