India vs Sri Lanka 2017: 5 domestic performers who deserve their chance

After brushing aside challenges from Australia and New Zealand in white-ball cricket, the Indian team now awaits its neighbours from across the Indian Ocean.

Sri Lanka will soon be in India for a Test series which will be followed by a limited-overs assignment. It is worth remembering here, that the very same Indian side walloped the Lankans in their own backyard just a couple of months ago and hence this series, in many ways, can be their redemption.

Sri Lanka are coming to India after having stunned Pakistan 2-0 in the Test series in Abu Dhabi and hence this series could assume a different complexion if they decide to put their best foot forward.

This series also provides the Indian team with an opportunity to test the depth in their domestic set-up and with a long overseas season coming up, several untested players should be given a spot in the Test line-up.

#5 Mohammed Siraj

The young quick from Hyderabad has made several heads turns in the recent past with his pace in domestic cricket. After having bagged a lucrative contract with the Sunrisers Hyderabad last season, he has made sure he has put in the hard yards in Ranji Trophy.

In nine matches last season, Siraj picked up 41 wickets. In the single match he has played this season, Siraj picked up four wickets.

The selectors rewarded him with a spot in the T20 squad for the series against New Zealand, but he could be a good prospect with the red ball and should be given a go in the upcoming series.

#4 R Samarth

Stoic and very sedate

Ravikumar Samarth, the young opening batsman from Karnataka, is a throwback to the past with his batting style and temperament and thus could well be a risk that could turn out to be quite profitable in the future.

Last season, he scored 702 runs in nine matches at an average of 46.80. He is also a part of the India 'A' squad and has displayed solid technique in foreign conditions, scoring gritty half-centuries in South Africa.

In four matches this season, the right-hander has already scored 300 runs at an average of 75 which is an indication of his consistency and appetite for runs.

#3 Shahbaz Nadeem

Has been pushing for selection for the last three seasons

One of the most consistent performers in the domestic circuit, Nadeem emerged as the leading wicket-taker in two consecutive seasons in the Ranji Trophy.

In both the 2015 and 2016 seasons, the left-arm spinner bagged more than 50 wickets and carried his form to the India-A squad where he was instrumental in his side's domination of New Zealand A across both formats.

This season, he has already picked up 10 wickets in two matches and has done everything he possibly can to warrant a selection into the Indian team. The selectors should award him with a spot in the squad as the third spinner.

#2 Priyank Panchal

Prolific run-scorer

The leading run-scorer from the previous season, Panchal has been ticking all the right boxes and has notched up centuries in the Duleep Trophy against quality bowling.

His 1310 runs in 10 matches played a huge role in Gujarat clinching the title and the young man has carried his form into this season as well.

"I am not looking at only one format, personally, I want to crack all the three formats and hence I look forward to opportunities to grow as a player irrespective of the format," Panchal had told Sportskeeda after his run in the Duleep Trophy.

Another player who can be tested in the upcoming series!

#1 Shreyas Iyer

Deserves a spot in the playing XI

Perhaps the most likely candidate to crack the Indian team would have to be this young man from Mumbai. Iyer, who recently made his T20I debut for India, has been a run-machine in the last three seasons.

In the 2016-17 season, Iyer notched up 725 runs in 10 matches. This was not very bright according to the lofty standards set by the man himself as in the 2015-16 season, he topped the batting charts, amassing 1321 runs in 10 matches, by far the leading run-scorer in the tournament.

He has been in sparkling form for India-A as well and has also captained the side, a testament to his progress which has been nothing short of meteoric. He deserves a spot in the Test squad.

If the selectors decide to rest captain Virat Kohli, Iyer could fit in perfectly at the number 4 slot