India vs Sri Lanka 2017: India's predicted XI for third Test

After being forced to shake hands with a win in sight in the first Test at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata, the Virat Kohli-led Indian team bounced back strongly and beat Sri Lanka by an innings and 239 runs in the second Test at Nagpur to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match Test series.

One can expect the Indian team management to tinker with the team combination as this is the last match before India head out on overseas tours. But, with the hosts yet to seal the series, the selectors have named a full-strength team for the third and final match which will be held at the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium in New Delhi from December 2.

Let us take a look at how the Indian team will line up for the third and final match of the series.

Openers

After missing out from the playing XI for the first Test of the series, Murali Vijay sent a strong message to the team management on why he is still the team's best Test opener and why dropping him from the playing XI is a big crime by scoring a sensational century on his return to the field after nearly eight months. With this, he cemented his place in the side as an opener not only for the third ODI but also for the South Africa series.

After missing out on a well-deserved century in the first Test, Shikhar Dhawan asked for his release from the Indian side to attend his sister's wedding and missed the second Test. Now that the southpaw is back in the scheme of things, it is still uncertain whether Rahul will be retained in the team, especially after failing in the second Test and also the fact that this is the team's last chance to experiment ahead of the South Africa series.

Having said that, KL Rahul is someone who has been consistent with the bat for Virat Kohli and co. in this format and is expected to retain his place in the side in spite of the return of Dhawan.