Predicted XI for first T20I between India and Sri Lanka

Having faced each other on 18 different occasions over the last season, India and Sri Lanka will clearly know each other inside out. India will be led by Rohit Sharma in the Nidahas Trophy, as the selectors have decided to give some senior stars a rest.

Kohli and Dhoni will not be playing in the series, which has opened up opportunities for several youngsters to shine in their place. This will be a big series for the likes of Deepak Hooda and Rishabh Pant, as all eyes will be on these two bright prospects of Indian cricket.

The returning Suresh Raina will also try and show everyone that he is ready for another tilt in the ODI format, as Raina will be desperate to put himself in contention for the 2019 World Cup in a year’s time.

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After a poor showing in South Africa, Rohit Sharma will need a big tournament against his favourite opposition. Rohit has been a constant tormentor against Sri Lanka, with two of his three double centuries against the island nation.

Shardul Thakur, Jaydev Unadkat and Mohammad Siraj will also be looking to make a name for themselves and put themselves in contention for the World Cup squad.

OPENERS

Rohit Sharma (c) and Shikhar Dhawan

One of world cricket’s most successful opening partnerships will be at it again, as Rohit and Dhawan will look to dominate the Lankan attack at Colombo.

Dhawan had a superb series against South Africa and will look to continue his form into the SA series. Rohit on the other hand needs to perform in this series, as the Mumbai batsman will want to play himself back into form ahead of the IPL season.

MIDDLE ORDER

Suresh Raina, Manish Pandey, Dinesh Karthik(wk), Deepak Hooda

Raina played well on his return to the T20I side in South Africa, and will look to take that form into this series as well.

Pandey and Karthik will once again be tasked with scoring runs in the middle order, while Hooda will be expected play the role of the finisher in the death overs.

BOWLERS

Washington Sundar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Shardul Thakur, Jaydev Unadkat, Mohammad Siraj

With Kuldeep Yadav being rested, Chahal and Sundar will be tasked with getting wickets in the middle overs. Thakur had an impressive time in South Africa and will be looking to continue that in Sri Lanka as well.

Unadkat and Siraj will want to make a name for themselves in this series as well, as they look to enter the squad for the ODI format.