Predicted India XI for T20I series against Sri Lanka

A confident India will be looking to win the thee-match series against Sri LankaIndia followed the disappointment of the ODI series loss against Australia by hammering the hosts 3-0 in the T20I series, thus inflicting the first series whitewash on Australia in Australia. The level of confidence that India has following the series victory against Australia will definitely hold the Men in Blue in good stead as they look to continue their winning form.India is missing one key player in Virat Kohli, who has been rested for the Sri Lanka series. This will give MS Dhoni other options to explore while trying to experiment with the batting lineup. Mohammad Shami continues to miss out as he is still recovering from a hamstring injury.On the other hand, Sri Lanka are missing quite a few players as Lasith Malinga, Angelo Mathews, Rangana Herath, Nuwan Kulasekara and Nuwan Pradeep are rested for the tour.India will be hoping to prepare well for the upcoming Asia Cup and the World T20 and we can expect a bit of shuffling in the squads through the series to give everyone a bit of playing time.But, the core of the Indian squad is expected to be same and we have come up with the most likely eleven players that India might field against Sri Lanka in the series that starts on February 9.Here is the predicted Indian XI:

#1 Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma's form in the series Down Under was phenomenal, as along with Virat Kohli, he smothered the Australian bowlers to all parts of the ground. In three matches in the series, Rohit Sharma scored 143 runs at an average of 47.66 and a strike rate of 136.19. The 28-year-old scored two fifties as he helped India get off to a great start in all the matches.

India will be hoping that Rohit can carry his overseas form and build on the good start he has had to the year. Home conditions should suit the man from Mumbai, and we can expect to see runs flowing from the bat of Rohit once again.

Rohit’s average of 47.10 in T20Is, since the start of 2014, will definitely give India an edge as India's chance to get their batting innings off to a good start seems to be high with Rohit opening the innings.