India's predicted playing XI for the 1st T20I vs Sri Lanka | July 27, 2024
Soon after defeating Zimbabwe 4-1 in a five-match T20I series, India are all set to embark on their next assignment. The Men in Blue will face off against Sri Lanka in three T20Is, with the opening game scheduled for Saturday, July 27 in Pallekele.
India have named a fairly strong squad for the rubber despite the absence of Jasprit Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav. Suryakumar Yadav will lead them following the T20I retirements of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, with Shubman Gill serving as his deputy.
T20I squad: Suryakumar Yadav (c), Shubman Gill (vc), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rinku Singh, Riyan Parag, Rishabh Pant (wk), Sanju Samson (wk), Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Khaleel Ahmed, Mohammed Siraj.
On that note, here is India's predicted playing XI for the first T20I against Sri Lanka.
Openers: Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal
Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal have seemingly been earmarked as India's next great opening combination in T20Is. There's plenty of merit to that decision, with the duo having the potential to be two of the world's best openers. The former, who recently spoke about being unhappy with his international displays in the shortest format, will be in focus.
Middle order: Rishabh Pant (wk), Suryakumar Yadav (c), Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar
Sanju Samson is potentially a better bet than Rishabh Pant at No. 3, but the latter took up the role throughout the 2024 T20 World Cup and appears to be ahead in the pecking order. That doesn't seem like the smartest move on paper, and the new coaching staff could bring about a change. Time will tell.
Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya form the backbone of the middle order, with Axar Patel and Washington Sundar serving as spin-bowling all-rounders. Sundar is fresh off a Player of the Series performance and will want to continue in the same vein.
Rinku Singh will compete with Riyan Parag, Shivam Dube, and Samson for a spot. His finishing skills should give him an edge as it will also give the other batters the chance to be deployed in favorable roles.
Lower order: Ravi Bishnoi, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh
Ravi Bishnoi was one of the stars of India's T20I series win over Zimbabwe and is expected to continue reprising his role as the lead spinner. The Men in Blue can call upon Arshdeep Singh and Mohammed Siraj to spearhead their pace attack ahead of Khaleel Ahmed, who was rather unimpressive in the previous assignment.