India's strongest T20I XI for the Sri Lanka series

All-rounders: Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya

Hardik Pandya's bowling availability is still in doubt.

There shouldn't be too much doubt over the all-rounders in the Indian side for the Sri Lanka T20I series. Hardik Pandya and his elder brother Krunal should take up the roles they usually do with the Mumbai Indians and the national team, with the former's bowling availability something to keep an eye on.

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Bowlers: Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Deepak Chahar, Navdeep Saini, Varun Chakravarthy

Deepak Chahar celebrates during the 2019 IPL final.

In the T20I format, India have struggled to find consistent bowlers. But one pacer who's been underrated and successful is Deepak Chahar. Barring one outing in Australia, the swing bowler has consistently provided breakthroughs and is the proud owner of the best bowling figures in T20I history.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Navdeep Saini should form the rest of the pace attack. In case the pitch offers spin and Hardik is fit to bowl, India could go in with three pacers and three spinners. Rahul Chahar, who played in the T20I series against England, could replace Saini and join hands with Krunal and Varun Chakravarthy.

A failed fitness test and an injury controversy have prevented Chakravarthy from making his India debut, but we should finally see the mystery spinner make a case for a T20 World Cup spot.

Chetan Sakariya, despite his superb showing at the beginning of IPL 2021, should remain on the bench. Kuldeep Yadav doesn't have much going for him in the T20 format and may be resigned to his Kolkata Knight Riders fate.