To continue with their dazzling form during the 3-0 whitewash against West Indies, India, led by Rohit Sharma, will host Sri Lanka in another three-match T20I series, starting in Lucknow on Thursday, February 24. India are in the middle of a nine-match winning streak in this format. A 3-0 clean sweep will help them equal the world record of 12, currently held by Afghanistan and Romania.
But chasing this record will certainly not be the primary agenda for the Indian team management. The focus will be on providing maximum exposure to the players, especially the youngsters, and continue to build a core group for the T20 World Cup in Australia this October and November. And with no Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant and Deepak Chahar in the squad, more players are likely to get a look in during the course of these three matches.
It is an important opportunity for Sanju Samson, who last featured in the Indian team in July 2021 when they lost the T20I series in Sri Lanka with a depleted squad. Samson scored 27, 7 and 0 on that tour. Though Ishan Kishan will be India's first-choice wicketkeeper in the XI despite his indifferent form, Samson too is likely to feature as a specialist middle-order batter. He will be buoyed by the absence of Wanindu Hasaranga, his nemesis on last year's tour.
Alongside Kishan, Ruturaj Gaikwad, who played just once against the West Indies, is likely get an extended run in this series at the top. Ravindra Jadeja will also make a comeback in white-ball cricket to add balance to the XI, as will Venkatesh Iyer. Jasprit Bumrah will return to spearhead the bowling attack, and will be supported by Harshal Patel, Ravi Bishnoi and Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
Sri Lanka will miss Hasaranga, who is yet to recover from Covid-19 and is isolating in Australia. Key players like Avishka Fernando and Kusal Perera will not a part of this squad either. Kusal Mendis and Maheesh Theekshana are doubtful as well, due to hamstring niggles. In their absence, the likes of Pathum Nissanka, Charith Asalanka and the experienced Dinesh Chandimal will need to lift their game to make an impact against a strong Indian team.
Last time, Dasun Shanaka's men beat a third-string Indian side in the T20I series at home. It is going to be a much stiffer ask this time.
Likely XIs
India: Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ishan Kishan (wk), Shreyas Iyer, Rohit Sharma (c), Sanju Samson, Venkatesh Iyer, Ravindra Jadeja, Harshal Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah
Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Danushka Gunathilaka, Kamil Mishara (wk), Dinesh Chandimal, Dasun Shanaka (c), Charith Asalanka, Chamika Karunaratne, Jeffrey Vandersay, Praveen Jayawickrama, Dushmantha Chameera, Lahiru Kumara
Fantasy tips
- Dew is going to be a factor in North India in this time of the year. Spinners are expected to be less effective, especially in the second half of the game. Pick fast bowlers.
- Expect the Indian top-order batters to score a lot runs.
- Consider having Sri Lankan all-rounders like Karunaratne and Shanaka in your fantasy XIs.