Sri Lanka and India. (Source – Twitter/X)
India and Sri Lanka are all set to begin their three-game T20I series campaign by facing off in the second T20I of the series at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Sunday, July 28. The side will be led by Suryakumar Yadav in the T20I series against Sri Lanka, and many have come forward to wonder what India’s lineup will look like against the hosts.
The likes of Rinku Singh, Shivam Dube, Rishabh Pant, and many more are expected to feature for India in the second T20I, and with back-to-back, there could be some rotations made.
Here’s India’s predicted XI for the 2nd T20I against Sri Lanka:
Openers – Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal
Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill. (Source – BCCI)
India will be expected to open with the likes of Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal. Being the vice captain, Gill has been one of the better performers for India, scoring 170 runs in his last five games, a lot will be expected of Gill in the second T20I of the series.
Furthermore, Yashasvi Jaiswal could accompany Gill as the second opener against Sri Lanka. The star batter has been in exceptional form as of late, with 141 runs in his last three matches, Jaiswal’s performance will be key for India in the second T20I.
Middle-order: Rishabh Pant (wk), Suryakumar Yadav (C), Rinku Singh
Surya Kumar Yadav. (Source – Twitter/X)
India’s middle order will consist of star batters Rishabh Pant, Suryakumar Yadav, and Rinku Singh. Rishabh Pant last featured for India in the final of the T20 World Cup 2024, and coming back after a horror injury, Pant has done well to make his way back into the squad. With 74 T20Is played, Pant has scored 1158 runs for India and his showing will be one that could be extremely important for India.
Suryakumar Yadav will aim to lead from the front once more against Sri Lanka. Needing no introduction, Suryakumar is undoubtedly one of the best batters in T20 cricket in the world, and his performance could speak for himself.
Furthermore, Rinku Singh will complete India’s middle order against Sri Lanka in the second T20I. Before the Sri Lanka series, the star batter last featured for India in the fifth T20I of the series against Zimbabwe, where he scored 11* runs in nine deliveries, his performances for India in the shortest format have been excellent and he will hope for an extended outing on the field.
All-rounders: Shivam Dube, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel
Hardik Pandya (Source: ICC/Getty)
India could field three all-rounders against Sri Lanka in the second T20I of the series. Shivam Dube could once again make a return to the side, scoring 26 runs in 12 deliveries in the final T20I against Zimbabwe, Dube did not get to bat for long but he sure does have the potential to go big.
Every eye will once again be set upon Hardik Pandya. The ace all-rounder was exceptional for India throughout the T20 World Cup 2024, and after a subpar IPL season, Pandya seems to have come into his own for the Men in Blue.
Axar Patel will complete India’s all-rounder lineup, the 30-year-old has been in excellent form for India as of late, and the Men in Blue will hope that he will keep up with his performances in the upcoming game as well.
Bowlers: Ravi Bishnoi, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh
Mohammed Siraj. (Source – Getty Images)
India could field two pacers and one specialist spinner against Sri Lanka in the second T20I. Ravi Bishnoi could be the specialist spinner in the side for the second T20I. The star spinner was a part of India’s tour to Zimbabwe and took six wickets in the five games that he played against the side.
Mohammed Siraj could be another crucial part of the Indian setup against Sri Lanka in the second T20I. With 13 wickets in 13 T20Is for India, Siraj has shown his prowess whenever given the opportunity and he will aim to do the same once more.
Lastly, Arshdeep Singh could be the final player in India’s lineup for the second T20I against Sri Lanka. Arshdeep was exceptional for India in the T20 World Cup and he could get another chance in the second T20I to showcase his skills.
