Former India cricketer VVS Laxman has picked India's playing eleven for the upcoming ODI series against Sri Lanka. The Shikhar Dhawan-led India side has a few new faces in the squad and Laxman has named two debutants in his playing XI.
Speaking to Star Sports, Laxman named two debutants - Suryakumar Yadav and Sanju Samson for the ODIs. Suryakumar got to play in the T20I side earlier this year against England but he hasn't made his ODI debut yet.
Samson, who made his India debut back in 2014, has featured in 7 T20I matches so far. Laxman is expecting him to get into India's ODI playing eleven for the first time.
The 46-year-old named Shikhar Dhawan and Prithvi Shaw for the opening spot. Both the batsmen open for Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League. For the number three spot, he picked Suryakumar.
Laxman has picked Samson over Ishan Kishan for the wicket-keeping role and number four spot. He is followed by the Pandya brothers; Hardik and Krunal.
Hardik is expected to play as an all-rounder on this tour. He hasn't bowled much after recovering from his back injury. Manish Pandey also made it to the playing XI picked by Laxman.
For the bowling unit, Laxman named vice-captain Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Deepak Chahar, Kuldeep Yadav, and Yuzvendra Chahal. If India goes with the pair of Kuldeep and Chahal, the spin-duo will finally get to play together in limited-overs cricket after a long time.
VVS Laxman's playing XI: Shikhar Dhawan (Captain), Prithvi Shaw, Suryakumar Yadav, Sanju Samson (WK), Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya, Manish Pandey, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Deepak Chahar, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal
