Hardik Pandya might be anticipated to start his full-time T20 captaincy tenure on a daring word because the Indian T20 crew prepares to begin its life past Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul with the three match sequence towards Sri Lanka, starting right here on Tuesday. The followers of Indian cricket obtained greater than glimpse of Hardik’s imaginative and prescient for the crew when led the crew to victory within the rain-hit T20 sequence in New Zealand. In an ODI World Cup yr, the shortest format isn’t precedence for the Indian crew however the sequence will permit Hardik to begin planning for the longer term, particularly the 2024 T20 World Cup. India’s famed high three — Rohit, Kohli and Rahul — usually are not a part of the squad and regardless of their T20 future , the crew should put together for all times with out them.
The downside with the present Indian T20 crew in latest previous, has been distinct lack of intent and talent to play fearless cricket.
The concept of self preservation at the price of impactful efficiency was hurting the crew for a very long time and maybe the poor present within the T20 World Cup turned the final straw.
The Combination
Rishabh Pant, who suffered a horrific automotive crash final week, opened for the crew in New Zealand alongside Ishan Kishan. Pant was anyway not picked for the Sri Lanka sequence, making Kishan and Ruturaj Gaikwad opening mixture most certainly for the primary T20 on the high-scoring Wankhede Stadium.
Both Kishan and Gaikwad have been bonafide IPL stars for a previous few years and that is their actual probability to indicate their wares with out worrying about their place within the facet.
With subsequent T20 World Cup not less than 18 months away, the duo is predicted to get a good run though the variety of T20 Internationals this yr is lower than 15 with ODI gaining extra priority.
Shubman Gill, who’s but to make his T20 debut, is one other opening possibility for Hardik. At quantity three, the skipper will depend on the brilliance of world’s No. 1 batter Suryakumar Yadav. With Hardik eager to have six bowling choices within the enjoying eleven, Deepak Hooda might be a probable starter for Tuesday’s sport.
The administration must select between Sanju Samson and uncapped Rahul Tripathi for the one spot within the center order. Tripathi has been warming the bench for some time now and it may proceed towards Sri Lanka however Samson on account of expertise ought to get a primary go.
Though uncapped Shivam Mavi and Mukesh Kumar have been included within the squad, the possible tempo bowling trio might be of Arshdeep Singh, Harshal Patel and Umran Malik.
India may additionally pack in additional all-rounders within the crew with the choice of Washington Sundar and Axar Patel. Specialist spinner Yuzvendra Chahal is predicted to play within the sequence opener.
Reigning Asia Cup champions Sri Lanka might be no pushovers for India even in their very own situations. Sri Lanka have rewarded the star performers of the Lanka Premier League — Avishka Fernando, Chamika Karunaratne and Sadeera Samarawickrama — by together with them within the crew for the India sequence.
Both Fernando and Karunaratne have made a comeback and might be trying to make an impactful contribution.
Bhanuka Rajapaksa might be their key batter within the middle-order.
India:Hardik Pandya (captain), Ishan Kishan (wk), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav (VC), Deepak Hooda, Rahul Tripathi, Sanju Samson, Washington Sundar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Harshal Patel, Umran Malik, Shivam Mavi, Mukesh Kumar.
Sri Lanka:Dasun Shanaka (C), Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Kusal Mendis (VC for ODIs), Bhanuka Rajapaksa (just for T20Is), Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Wanindu Hasaranga (VC for T20Is), Ashen Bandara, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay (just for ODIs), Chamika Karunaratne, Dilshan Madushanka, Kasun Rajitha, Nuwanidu Fernando (just for ODIs), Dunith Wellalage, Pramod Madushan, Lahiru Kumara, Nuwan Thushara (just for T20Is).
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV employees and is revealed from a syndicated feed.)
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