India's predicted playing XI for the 2nd T20I vs Sri Lanka | July 28, 2024

For the second series running, India will play T20Is on back-to-back days. The Men in Blue will face off against Sri Lanka in the second encounter of the three-match rubber in Pallekele on Sunday, July 28.

India were tested at times in the series opener but triumphed by a sizeable 43-run margin. While the short turnaround time is something they will be wary of, changes might not be forthcoming as the new management attempts to put its plans in place.

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 second T20I against Sri Lanka.

Openers: Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal

Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal got India off to a rollicking start in the first T20I as they blasted a host of boundaries in the powerplay. While the duo were dismissed off consecutive deliveries on either side of the sixth over, they did their job and will want to replicate the same on Sunday.

Middle order: Rishabh Pant (wk), Suryakumar Yadav (c), Riyan Parag, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel

SKY is a simply special player [Image Courtesy: BCCI on X]

Rishabh Pant played a painstaking knock that could have cost India on another day. With Sanju Samson on the bench and Pant failing to make his mark on T20Is, it wouldn't be surprising to see the Men in Blue make a change. But they have a lot of faith in the southpaw, who could be backed for a little while longer.

Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya make up the backbone of the lineup. Hardik could potentially be rested, having bowled four overs less than 24 hours ago. Shivam Dube is an option, but the former T20I vice-captain could just pull through.

Riyan Parag, Rinku Singh, and Axar Patel will make up the rest of the middle order. India will need to get the entry points of the former two right.

Lower order: Ravi Bishnoi, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh

India v Australia - T20I Series: Game 5 - Source: Getty

Ravi Bishnoi suffered a blow to the face yesterday and was seen sporting a bandage before going off the field. It seems like a superficial injury, and he should be fit for this one. If the leg-spinner is ruled out, Washington Sundar could come in as the only other spinner on the bench.

Mohammed Siraj and Arshdeep Singh bowled three overs each in the series opener and weren't tested much. Khaleel Ahmed remains an option, but their low workload could lead India to believe that they don't need to rest and rotate just yet.