(Cricket news) Team India will be in action for the first time in 2023 as they take on Sri Lanka for 3 T20Is. As expected all the senior 3 format players have been rested. Hardik Pandya is leading the side having led them to a win against New Zealand a couple of months ago. Even though the T20 World Cup is not until 2024, India will want to build a strong core of T20 specialists. Senior players like Ravichandran Ashwin, Dinesh Karthik and Bhuvneshwar Kumar have been dropped from the side since the T20 World which is a sign of rebuilding. 

India’s ideal playing XI –

Openers: Shubhman Gill & Ishan Kishan

Ishan Kishan has been in incredible form having scored a double hundred in the 3rd ODI against Bangladesh. He had a period of good form in T20Is but that was a while ago. Shubhman Gill has had some really good performances for India in Tests and ODIs but he is yet to make his T20I debut. He has played a lot in the IPL and it will be exciting to see him in Indian colors. The left and right hand combination will be a big plus. Ruturaj Gaikwad and Rahul Tripathi are the other options while Deepak Hooda could also open.

Middle order: Deepak Hooda, Suryakumar Yadav & Hardik Pandya

Suryakumar Yadav is possibly India’s best T20 player and his inclusion is a no brainer. It will be interesting to see if he bats at number 3 now that Virat Kohli and Shreyas Iyer are not in the squad. Deepak Hooda has impressed every now and then but he will be looking for some consistency. Captaincy has gotten the best out of Hardik Pandya and he will be looking to lead the side from the front. Along with the batting, Pandya and Hooda’s bowling will also be a big asset.

Wicket keeper: Sanju Samson

While Ishan Kishan can also keep wickets, Sanju Samson deserves a place in the side. He hasn’t got a consistent run in the team but now with Pant out for a significant amount of time, Samson should get much more games in both white ball formats. 

All-rounder: Axar Patel

It will be a very close call between Axar Patel and Washington Sundar but the former should have an edge. The fact that he is a left hander is a big advantage and also because India have an off spinner in the XI in the form of Deepak Hooda. Patel is the only 3 format player who is in the squad and he needs to take advantage of this to cement his place in the squad. 

Seamers: Harshal Patel, Arshdeep Singh & Umran Malik

Before his injury Harshal Patel was a regular member of the playing XI but Arshdeep Singh made the most of his absence to take Harshal’s place. Now the exclusion of Bhuvneshwar Kumar opens up a spot for him. He doesn’t play any other formats which means that he can really cement his place in the team. Arshdeep Singh picks himself thanks to his incredible performances in the past few months. India will be looking to groom Umran Malik more by giving him the required exposure. He is in the ODI squad as well and could make his way to the World Cup team.

Spinner: Yuzvendra Chahal

India have the option of playing Washington Sundar to get some more batting in the lower order. However Chahal is a very good wicket taking option. He hasn’t been at his best for quite some time now but this is the best opportunity for him. He should use these 3 matches to warm up for the ODIs which are very important with the World Cup in mind.

Bench: Ruturaj Gaikwad, Rahul Tripathi, Washington Sundar, Shivam Mavi, Mukesh Kumar

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