India vs Sri Lanka 2023: Strongest Predicted T20 Series Squad for Team India

Hardik Pandya expected to lead as we look at the strongest predicted squad and players list for Team India for the 2023 T20 series vs Sri Lanka.

Team India are currently in the final lap of the year 2022 with the 2-match Test series vs Bangladesh currently underway. But soon after the end of 2022, India would be beginning the 2023 home season with multiple-format series vs Australia, Sri Lanka, and New Zealand. 

The first of the lot shall be the T20I and ODI series vs Sri Lanka starting Jan 3rd. But such is the schedule that is designed by the BCCI that the following New Zealand limited-overs series seems a continuation of the Sri Lanka series with a gap of just 2 days between both the series.

India start the 2023 campaign by playing the 3-match T20I series vs Sri Lanka. This will be followed by 3-match ODI series. Looking at the schedule, in all possibilities, we should see Team India select 80-90% different players for both series. But which squad is Team India likely to select for the 2023 T20 series vs Sri Lanka? Let’s find out in this article. 

Team India’s Predicted 16-Member T20 Series Squad

Batters

If we talk about the batters, India are most likely to rest KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma, who could be recovering from the injury. In their absence, Rahul Tripathi and Rajat Patidar could be given a chance. The two have been a part of a few tours for India, but haven’t got any opportunity to play. Maybe this series could be their chance.

Apart from the above two, the confirmed ones that will definitely be given a chance include Shubman Gill and Suryakumar Yadav. While Shubman Gill will play the role of the opener, the World number 1 T20I batter,  Suryakumar Yadav will don the regular number 4 position.

Wicket-keepers: 

The wicket-keeping position should see Rishabh Pant being rested after a hectic Test series. Pant is expected to be the primary keeper for the ODI series vs Sri Lanka, so that means, Ishan Kishan and Sanju Samson could be the preferred keepers for the T20 series. While Kishan will play as the opener, Sanju Samson could be flexible with his batting order. 

All-rounders: 

Coming to the all-rounders, the only regular entity to miss the ODI series could be Ravindra Jadeja. The Saurashtra All-rounder is currently recovering from the injury, and could be rested for the T20 series. But apart from him, India should see Captain Hardik Pandya, Deepak Hooda, Shahbaz Ahmed, and Washington Sundar as the primary all-rounders of the squad. 

Hardik Pandya will most likely lead the team with Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul being rested.  Whereas, with the matches being played in India, the role of Deepak Hooda, Washington Sundar, and Shahbaz Ahmed becomes extremely crucial as spin bowling all-rounders. 

Bowlers:

From the bowling perspective, we should see a near to full strength squad with the exception of Jasprit Bumrah. The team should see Bhuvneshwar Kumar leading the pace attack with Arshdeep Singh and Harshal Patel being the supporting pacers in the first-choice 11. Apart from these three, Umran Malik shall be the key backup pacer. 

Meanwhile, from the spin bowling perspective, Yuzvendra Chahal shall lead the attack with Kuldeep Yadav being the supporting entity. These two shall have Washington Sundar and Shahbaz Ahmed as the backup spinners, if required in the playing 11. The team can also think of selecting an additional spinner in place of Umran Malik. However, this move looks least-likely for now. 

India vs Sri Lanka 2023: Predicted T20 Series Squad and Players List for Team India

Batters: Rahul Tripathi, Rajat Patidar, Shubman Gill & Suryakumar Yadav  

Wks: Ishan Kishan & Sanju Samson

All-rounders: Deepak Hooda, Hardik Pandya, Shahbaz Ahmed & Washington Sundar

Bowlers: Arshdeep Singh, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Harshal Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Umran Malik & Yuzvendra Chahal

Coach: VVS Laxman // Captain: Hardik Pandya

So, that’s about the strongest predicted squad and players list for Team India for the 2023 T20 series vs Sri Lanka. The above prediction is based on the assumption that India would rest their first-choice players to be fit before the ODI series.

Even Rahul Dravid could be rested with VVS Laxman donning the Coaching duties. However, if India decide to play senior players, a few of these youngsters could miss out. Meanwhile, here’s the official schedule for Team India for the T20 series vs Sri Lanka. 

India vs Sri Lanka 2023 – Official T20 Series Schedule:

• 1st T20I –  Jan 03 @ Mumbai
• 2nd T20I – Jan 05 @ Pune
• 3rd T20I – Jan 07 @ Rajkot

Thanks for reading! What’s your squad for Team India for the 2023 T20 series vs Sri Lanka? Please email your comments to business@cricalytics.com

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