How India could line up for the third T20I against Sri Lanka

Middle-order

Dhoni has been in great nick

#4 MS Dhoni

Dhoni has looked a class apart not only with his lightning keeping skills, but also with his batting. Dhoni has performed really well with the bat after being criticized for his performances in the recent T20I series against New Zealand. He has looked in vintage form in this series at no. 4, scoring 39 and 28 runs with an overall strike rate of 159.

Apart from his batting, he was at his best behind the stumps, with 4 stumpings and 2 catches in the two matches.

#5 Deepak Hooda

Dinesh Karthik has hardly got a chance to bat in this series. With India's top order in good form, it would be wise to drop Karthik and replace him with Deepak Hooda. Hooda can be effective with both bat and ball. He is a good striker of the ball, and can also be handy with his off-spin bowling.

#6 Manish Pandey

Manish Pandey made the most of his opportunity in the first game and scored a sublime 32 off 18 balls. He did not get to bat in the second match, and would like to have more runs under his belt before heading overseas.

#7 Washington Sundar

Hardik Pandya has done relatively well in the bowling department, after looking off-color in the ODI series. He has picked up 4 wickets overall, looking in total control with his line and length. In the batting department, he has not gotten enough opportunities. With the series victory already in the bag, Hardik might be rested in the next match, as he may be an integral part of the Test team that will head to South Africa.

Washington Sundar is the ideal replacement with his all-round abilities.