The followers of Indian cricket got more than a glimpse of Hardik's vision for the team when led the team to victory in the rain-hit T20 series in New Zealand.
With the three-match series against Sri Lanka starting here on Tuesday. Hardik Pandya will be expected to start off his full-time T20 captaincy tenure on a daring note. As the Indian T20 side gets ready to begin life without Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and KL Rahul. When Hardik guided the Indian cricket team to victory in the rain-delayed T20 series in New Zealand. Indian cricket fans got more than just a glimpse of his plans for the squad. The Indian team does not prioritize the shortest format during an ODI World Cup year. But the series will allow Hardik to begin making preparations for the future. Notably the T20 World Cup in 2024.
India's famed top three Rohit, Virat Kohli, and Rahul are not part of the squad and irrespective of their T20 future. The team must prepare for life without them.
The problem with the current Indian T20 team in the recent past has been distinct lack of intent and ability to play the fearless cricket.
The Combinations in the T20:
Rishabh Pant, who suffered a horrific car crash last week, opened for the team in New Zealand alongside Ishan Kishan. Pant was anyway not picked for the Sri Lanka series. Making Kishan and Ruturaj Gaikwad opening combination most likely for the first T20 at the high-scoring Wankhede Stadium.
Both Kishan and Gaikwad have been bonafide IPL stars for a past few years and this is their real chance to show their wares without worrying about their place in the side.
With next T20 World Cup at least 18 months away, the duo is expected to get a fair run although the number of T20 Internationals this year is less than 15 with ODI gaining more precedence.
Shubman Gill, who is yet to make his T20 debut, is another opening option for Hardik. At number three, the skipper will rely on the brilliance of world's No. 1 batter Suryakumar Yadav. With Hardik keen to have six bowling options in the playing 11. Deepak Hooda could be a likely starter for Tuesday's game.
For the one opening in the middle order, the management will have to decide between Sanju Samson and uncapped Rahul Tripathi. Tripathi has been warming the bench for some time, and he may continue doing so against Sri Lanka. But Samson should start because of his experience.
Although Mukesh Kumar and uncapped Shivam Mavi were named in the squad, Arshdeep Singh, Harshal Patel, and Umran Malik are more likely to make up the pace bowling three.
India has the option of including Washington Sundar and Axar Patel. Which would increase the number of all-rounders on the roster. Yuzvendra Chahal, a skilled spinner, is anticipated to take the field in game one of the series.
Reigning Asia Cup champions Sri Lanka will be no pushovers for India even in their own conditions.
Sri Lanka have rewarded the star performers of the Lanka Premier League Avishka Fernando, Chamika Karunaratne and Sadeera Samarawickrama by including them in the team for the India series.
Both Fernando and Karunaratne have made a comeback and will be looking to make an impactful contribution.
Bhanuka Rajapaksa will be their key batter in 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 (only for T20Is), Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva. Wanindu Hasaranga (VC for T20Is), Ashen Bandara, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay (only for ODIs). Chamika Karunaratne, Dilshan Madushanka, Kasun Rajitha. Nuwanidu Fernando (only for ODIs), Dunith Wellalage, Pramod Madushan, Lahiru Kumara, Nuwan Thushara (only for T20Is).
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