India's predicted playing XI for the Sri Lanka series

Tomorrow, the Virat Kohli led Indian outfit will be donning the whites again for a 3-match Test series in Sri Lanka. Kohli will have to do something that the likes of Sourav Ganguly, MS Dhoni and Anil Kumble failed to do before him, that is to win a Test series in the island nation. But times have changed and on this occasion, it does look like the team has been presented with a glorious opportunity to re-write history to win the series after 22 years. Sri Lanka, on the other hand would want to put the disappointment against Pakistan behind them and give their greatest batsman ever Kumar Sangakkara, a fitting farewell. Nevertheless, this promises to be a cracking series and here’s how we predict the Indians to lineup in it:

#1 Shikhar Dhawan

Can he do what Sehwag did in 2008 at Galle?

When KL Rahul scored that majestic hundred in the final Test of the Australian series, every single fan predicted Dhawan to be nowhere near the Test setup at least for a while. But he is back! And he is back with a bang with a powerful hundred against Bangladesh.

And let’s face it, his record in Test cricket in batting friendlier subcontinental conditions is good. He is averaging 104 at an astonishing strike-rate of 96 in Asia and his quick runs can actually give the bowlers more time to bowl out the opposition.

#2 Murali Vijay

Will be temporarily replaced by Rahul

Yes, Murali Vijay is out of the first Test and he has eased the management’s concerns surrounding KL Rahul’s potential omission. He has a hamstring issue and in all likelihood will be fit for the second Test and hence he makes the cut considering that we are picking the XI for the entire series and not just for the 1^st Test.

He has been rock solid out there blunting the new ball and making big scores. Rahul needs to do something extraordinary in the first Test and that should also couple with Dhawan scoring big to keep Vijay out for the rest of the series, which is very unlikely to happen.

#3 Rohit Sharma

Rohit won’t keep Pujara out for long with shots like these

So much has been said over the last few days about Test Cricket’s most crucial batting position. Had someone told a year ago that Cheteshwar Pujara would be on the sidelines despite being fully fit, then you would have certainly laughed.

But he found out how cruel this format can be and the skipper has just made things more difficult for him by stating that he would prefer Rohit at number 3 since he can take the game away from the opposition after settling down.

Not everyone’s going to be pleased with it, but Rohit knows that nothing is granted as that spot will still remain to be a three-horse race.

#4 Virat Kohli (Captain)

He needs runs to squash talks of bad form

The captain will slot in at his favourite batting position in Test Cricket. He has been under fire for a while now since his batting form has faded a bit in the last few months. But. he has been good in the Test format as he demonstrated in the Australian series.

The lone failure in Bangladesh shouldn’t be taken into consideration on a serious note. His captaincy will also be in focus since this is his first full-fledged Test tour as skipper. He knows that every bad move will be scrutinised by the fans and media alike and hence he would be hoping that the 5-bowler strategy works.

#5 Ajinkya Rahane

It is almost guaranteed that this man will deliver

Right now, probably the most important batsman in this Test side alongside Murali Vijay is Ajinkya Rahane. He might have struggled recently in the ODI arena, but this is a format where he is at ease no matter where he bats.

After tasting success in the overseas tours last year, he went on to score a quickfire 98 against Bangladesh in the one-off Test match. He scored another brilliant hundred in the warm-up game three to four days ago. Considering India will be playing with only six batsmen, he cannot afford to take it easy.

#6 Wriddhiman Saha (Wicket-keeper)

Saha ‘the batsman’ needs to step up

There were suggestions that the selectors would be sending another wicket-keeper to Sri Lanka to just keep Saha on his toes since he has now taken over the mantle. But in the end, he has been given some freedom and it’s assured that he will be taking over the gloves for all 3 Tests.

We haven’t seen him shine with the bat so far in the Test arena, but his domestic record (average of 44) suggests that he has it in him to succeed. He will be batting at the crucial number 6 spot and he has to justify his captain’s faith in him.

#7 Ravichandran Ashwin

Can he transform into a genuine all-rounder during this tour?

For India to win, Ashwin will have to play a key role. Not just with the ball, but also with the bat since he will slotted in at number 7. He has the right technique and temperament to succeed at that position and if he can build partnerships with the top order batsmen, then Kohli’s 5-bowler strategy will receive a major boost.

With the ball though, he is expected to pick loads of wickets considering the kind of form he has been in recent months which includes a 5-wicket haul in the rain affected one-off Test against Bangladesh.

#8 Harbhajan Singh

Make or break time for the turbanator

This is the real test for Bhajji. The one-off Test against Bangladesh didn’t tell us much since it was also affected by rain, but these 3 Test matches will give us an indication about his Test future.

He will have a major role to play against the left-handed duo of Sangakkara and Thirimanne. Considering the fact that South Africa has a lot of right-handers in their lineup, the selectors might not favour Bhajji if he fails to make an impact against the left-handers in the Lankan side. Also, Mishra’s inclusion suggests that the think tank is willing to experiment if needed. For now, his spot is guaranteed and he will start the first Test. Some useful runs at number 8 will also be welcomed.

#9 Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Early wickets are the order of the day

This will be a very important series for Bhuvneshwar Kumar after having missed 3 Tests in the Australian tour. With four pacers in the squad currently and the potential return of Mohammad Shami in the near future, he has to impress in order to regain his spot.

He knows how to bowl in the sub-continental conditions and India would need him to provide early breakthroughs with the new ball. An in-form Bhuvi will also be handy against South Africa in November during the 4-match Test series in order to expose Hashim Amla and AB de Villiers to the crease early.

#10 Ishant Sharma

Will Ishant be third time lucky?

At 26, Ishant Sharma is already the leader of the Indian attack in Test Cricket. Surprisingly to an extent, he led the attack well in overseas conditions and will be expected to do well here as well after having already toured before in 2008 and 2010.

He rocked the Sri Lankan Board President’s XI with a five-wicket haul that came in just 21 deliveries. If he can bowl well, the selectors might once again start considering him for limited overs cricket since Mohammad Shami is still nursing his injury.

#11 Umesh Yadav

If the Yadav experiment fails, then Mishra will get a look-in

This is a big call for the management. They have brought in Amit Mishra after watching what Yasir Shah did in the recently concluded Test series in the island nation. But will they play him? Off late the pitches in Sri Lanka have offered some help for the seamers.

Considering that factor, Kohli might not play the leggie in the first Test. So it is between Umesh and Aaron for the final spot and one feels that Umesh might just edge it owing to his decent showing in the warm-up match.