IND vs SL T20: 5 things India need to focus on during last T20 series before T20 World Cup
IND vs SL T20: Team India have already sealed the ODI series while there’s still a game to play. But plans for the…
IND vs SL T20: Team India have already sealed the ODI series while there’s still a game to play. But plans for the succeeding three T20Is have already been drawn. Shikhar Dhawan and Co. will cast their eye on the T20 series against Sri Lanka as a key step in their preparations for the T20 World Cup later this year. The three games against the Lankans will be the final T20I action for the Men in Blue before the mega event, giving the likes of Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan, Sanju Samson to make their claims for a spot in the side.
Ahead of the three-game series, here’s a look at five things Men in Blue need to focus on in their three-match series against Sri Lanka.
IND vs SL T20: Will Shikhar Dhawan open in T20 World Cup?
While Rohit Sharma’s spot at the top of the order is nailed on, the same cannot be said about the other opener. KL Rahul is the front runner, while Virat Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan are also options. Shikhar Dhawan has been in fine form over the past 12 months, and should he continue his hot streak against Sri Lanka, the Delhi capitals star could win his place back, which could see Rahul contending for the no. 4 slot with Iyer and Suryakumar Yadav. That also opens up the option of Prithvi Shaw hoping to get one of the backup slots, after an impressive return to form.
IND vs SL T20: Suryakumar Yadav’s chance to seal his fate
Team India are yet to settle on a No. 4 in their XI for T20s, with Suryakumar Yadav and Shreyas Iyer currently the leading contenders to make the spot their own. The former impressed against England earlier this year and scored an entertaining 50 in the second ODI against Sri Lanka to make his claim stronger. A good T20I series will put Suryakumar Yadav in pole position ahead of the IPL 2021. Manish Pandey could also make a surprising claim for the spot, while Ishan Kishan and Sanju Samson, could also make a case for themselves.
IND vs SL T20: Focus on Ishan Kishan, Sanju Samson
Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan have been impressive in the IPL and will be tussling for a slot in the squad as well. While both Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul are certainties in the T20 World Cup squad, the duo in question will hope to stamp their authority against Sri Lanka and come into the side as cover. Their ability to bat anywhere across the top six and keep wickets could make them a vital part of India’s plans for the T20 World Cup.
IND vs SL T20: Hardik Pandya’s fitness
Hardik Pandya’s fitness will be something that the Indian team will monitor closely during the Sri Lanka series. The Mumbai Indians star resumed bowling in the ODIs but was seen holding his back which has been the source of his problems over the past couple of years. Pandya remains instrumental to India’s plans at the T20 World Cup, and his fitness will be managed accordingly by the staff. The Men in Blue will hope that Pandya can remain in peak fitness for the tournament, and his overs could come in handy in UAE.
IND vs SL T20: Who will be Jasprit Bumrah’s partner?
The IPL has certainly increased India’s talent pool, and the Men in Blue have a variety of fast bowlers to choose from for the T20 World Cup. While Jasprit Bumrah is expected to be the leader of the attack, the likes of Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Deepak Chahar, Shardul Thakur, Chetan Sakariya, Mohammed Shami and T Natarajan are all battling for the other slot in the side. The Sri Lanka series should give a fair indication on the places of Sakariya, Kumar and Chahar, while Thakur and Shami are in England.
