Team India returns to action on February 24, to play the first encounter of the three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka., which will be played in Lucknow, with a number of familiar players returning to the Indian lineup, including Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja.

While senior players like Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant are rested, Suryakumar Yadav and Deepak Chahar have been ruled out due to their respective injuries.

Bumrah was rested for the limited-overs series against the West Indies but will play in the T20Is against Sri Lanka, where he will also serve as Indian vice-captain.

Former Indian bowler Ashish Nehra, on the other hand, said Bumrah's inclusion "surprised" him.

“I am very surprised that Bumrah is playing in this T20Is. Every player wants to play, no doubt, but we have two Tests following this series as well. There are many matches to come. We have so many options among fast bowlers and a significant number of them need game time and confidence,” Nehra said on Cricbuzz.

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Bhuvneshwar Kumar was given an extended rope in the absence of senior pacers Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami in the West Indies series, and he impressed everyone.

However, Nehra felt that the return of Bumrah will limit possibilities for the other pacers.

“Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Siraj, Avesh Khan, for example, need more game time. The moment Bumrah returns to the XI, one of these players will have to miss the spot. So I'm surprised that he is playing here,” said Nehra.

(Cricbuzz inputs)