The Indian team will be looking forward to sealing the three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka by winning the second match which is slated to be played at the MCA Stadium in Pune on January 5, 2023. India already leads the series 1-0 after the 2-run win in Mumbai match.
The Men in Blue have rested some of their senior players for this series and received another setback in the form of Sanju Samson being ruled out of the remainder of the T20Is after he hurt his knee while fielding in the first match in Mumbai.
He has been replaced by Vidarbha keeper-batter Jitesh Sharma and this gives India some more options to choose from in the second T20I match.
Keeping this in mind, Team COC presents the predicted Team India playing XI for the second T20I in Pune.
IND v SL 2023: Jitesh Sharma to join Team India for remainder of Sri Lanka T20I series
Ishan Kishan had started with a flourish against the fast bowlers in the 1st match but was tamed down when spinners came on. He needs to continue in the same vein against tweakers as well. Shubman Gill couldn’t do well in his debut match but has a golden chance to impress the selectors and the fans with a good knock here.
Suryakumar Yadav also had an off day at no.3, and there is a good possibility of Rahul Tripathi finally getting his India debut on his home ground in the absence of Sanju Samson.
India might also be enticed to promote either Deepak Hooda or Hardik Pandya himself could come at the no.4 spot.
Hooda was excellent in the first T20I saving India from major blushes and Akshar Patel showed that he has done enough to keep his place in the XI, performing with both the bat and the ball.
However, for the second spinner’s spot, it might be a tossup between Yuzvendra Chahal or Washington Sundar given Chahal’s poor run of form with the ball. Sundar’s inclusion in the XI will also strengthen the batting as well.
IND v SL 2023: Wasim Jaffer against dropping Chahal and going with Sundar in India XI for 2nd T20I
Arshdeep Singh is reportedly available for selection and is expected to replace Harshal Patel in the XI, who had gone for plenty of runs for his two wickets in the Mumbai T20I, including 16 runs in the vital 19th over of the close chase.
Shivam Mavi and Umran Malik were the most impressive bowlers who bowled with pace and picked wickets at the right time to help India win the match and go 1-0 up in the series.
COC Predicted Team India playing XI for 2nd T20I:
Ishan Kishan (WK), Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav, Rahul Tripathi, Hardik Pandya (C), Deepak Hooda, Akshar Patel, Washington Sundar, Shivam Mavi, Arshdeep Singh, Umran Malik
