Rohit Sharma-led Team India will hope to extend their winning run in the shortest format when the hosts lock horns with Sri Lanka on Thursday at home. Accommodating youngsters Ishan Kishan and Ruturaj Gaikwad in the playing XI, Indian skipper Rohit was forced to bat down the order in the final T20 match between India and the West Indies.

 

In the absence of star batter Virat Kohli and wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant, Rahul Dravid-coached Team India side is expected to use the same template in the series opener against the Islanders at Lucknow. Talking about India’s possible combination for the curtain-raiser of the three-match T20I series, former Indian opener Aakash Chopra has shared his predicted playing XI.

 

Besides Kohli and Pant, Rohit’s Team India side will miss the services of key campaigners Suryakumar Yadav, Deepak Chahar and Shardul Thakur in the Sri Lanka T20I series. However, the hosts are boosted by the return of veteran all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja and pace ace Jasprit Bumrah. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Chopra feels that youngsters Kishan and Gaikwad should open the innings for Team India.

 

“You don’t have Rishabh Pant, Virat Kohli and Suryakumar Yadav. I would propose to open with Ishan Kishan alongside Ruturaj Gaikwad. You are thinking why not Sanju Samson? I am thinking if you have started playing Ishan Kishan, let’s end that story, it could be a beautiful ending as well,” Chopra said. The former Indian cricketer and full-time pundit opined that veteran opener Rohit can take the No.3 batting position to give Gaikwad three chances to bat at his preferred position in the Sri Lanka T20Is.

 

“Rohit can bat at No. 3. Ruturaj Gaikwad, you give him three opportunities as well. At No. 4, I am saying Shreyas Iyer and Deepak Hooda at No. 5 and not Sanju Samson. It is for the simple reason that why will you play Sanju Samson at No. 5, he is a top-order batter. At No. 6, I will keep Venkatesh Iyer,” Chopra added.