After a remarkable ODI and T20I series-winning
performance against West Indies, Rohit Sharma-led India are now set to take on
Sri Lanka in yet another three-match T20I series, starting February 24 in
Lucknow. While India will be coming off from a lopsided series win against West
Indies, Sri Lanka have recently suffered a 1-4 defeat against Australia.

Also Read: ‘Want to play every game, but…’: Ishan Kishan on competition with Rishabh Pant

Meanwhile, BCCI rested Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant
for this series, so this means youngsters will get chances in this series.

So, how would be India’s playing XI against Sri Lanka?

Also Read: Virat Kohli superhuman, MS Dhoni has ice running through his veins: Shane Watson

Opening batters: Rohit Sharma, Ishan Kishan

Promising youngster Ruturaj Gaikwad may have to wait
to cement his place in the Indian team with captain Rohit Sharma and
swashbuckling stroke-maker Ishan Kishan most likely to open the innings for
India. As KL Rahul is missing this series due to an injury, Ishan will be handed
the task to face the new ball.  The
wicketkeeper-batter managed 71 runs from three matches at a strike rate of
85.54. The southpaw would also be donning the keeper’s gloves.

Also Read: Virat Kohli thanks Yuvraj Singh for ‘lovely gesture’ with this message

Middle Order: Shreyas Iyer, Sanju Samson

With in-form Suryakumar Yadav ruled out of the series
due to hairline fracture, Shreyas Iyer will have to bear the responsibilities
to add runs as a middle-order batter. Iyer’s execution will be important for
India with Kohli and Pant missing the series. Samson, who was picked as an
alternative keeper, is likely to be asked to play as a specialist batter.

Also Read: Suryakumar Yadav, Deepak Chahar ruled out of Sri Lanka T20I series

All-rounders: Ravindra Jadeja, Venkatesh Iyer

Venkatesh, who scored 92 runs at a strike rate of 184
and took two wickets, will have a key role to play this time around. His
ability to score quickly will add firepower to the Indian batting attack. His
ability to take wickets will also give captain Rohit a weapon to keep Sri
Lankan batters at bay.

Also Read: Sehwag asks Saha to take a deep breath, name journalist who issued ‘threat’

Meanwhile, Ravindra Jadeja will look to strengthen his
position in the Indian team after being out of action due to a right forearm
injury that he had suffered in the first Test against New Zealand at Kanpur in
November. The southpaw would be expected to score at a brisk rate at number
seven and also contribute with his left-arm spin.

Bowlers: Harshal Patel, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit
Bumrah, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Ravi Bishnoi

Pacer Harshal Patel impressed the team management in
the West Indies series. Though he went wicketless in the second T20I, the young
pacer made up for it with a three-wicket haul in the final match at an economy
of 5.5. He finished the series with five wickets.

Also Read: Sanjay Bangar reveals Jadeja’s competitor in Indian T20I set-up

Bhuvneshwar Kumar had bowled a match-winning
penultimate over in the second T20I where he conceded just four runs and picked
up the big wicket of the hard-hitting Nicholas Pooran to finish with figures of
1/29 at an economy of 7.3. The pacer took two wickets from as many matches.

A refreshed Bumrah, meanwhile, will look to bounce
back in Sri Lanka after being rested against West Indies.

Also Read: Watch: ‘How can you call it a wide?’, Rohit Sharma gets annoyed with umpire’s decision

The spin department will be managed by Yuzvendra
Chahal and Ravi Bishnoi. Chahal picked up two wickets in the West Indies
series. Bishnoi, who played all three games, picked up three wickets. Venkatesh
and Jadeja will also chip in with their skills.