India vs Sri Lanka 2017, First T20I: Team India's probable XI

After winning the test series and the ODI series 1-0 and 2-1 respectively, India now square off against Sri Lanka in a three-match T20I series. The first of these matches will be played at Cuttack on 20th December with a new-look Team India taking the field.

Along with Virat Kohli, Shikhar Dhawan and Bhuvneshwar Kumar have been rested for the series, therefore, it will be interesting to see how the team lines up come Wednesday evening.

Here's our predicted XI for the match.

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Openers

Rohit Sharma

Leading the team from the front will be Rohit Sharma, who is fresh off his third double century, which he hit in the second ODI of the series. While the third match didn't go the way he'd have planned, there is no question about the fact that the Mumbaikar can be as devastating as any of the batsmen out there on his day.

KL Rahul

After sitting out of the ODI series, KL Rahul will be willing to prove himself in the T20Is. With Dhawan out of the equation, Rahul is a natural pick for the second opening slot. He had scored an 18-ball-24 when India and Lanka last met in a T20I.

Middle Order

Shreyas Iyer

After showing glimpses of his talent in the ODIs with two back-to-back fifties, Iyer will be walking in at number three in the shortest format as well. With Virat Kohli not in the side, this is another great opportunity for the right-hander to cement his place in the side for future tours.

Manish Pandey

This series might just be Manish Pandey's last chance to prove his worth and make the much-coveted number four spot in India's limited-overs side his own. Though Deepak Hooda is in the squad as well, it is highly unlikely that the youngster would be tried in the first match of the series itself.

Wicket-keeper

MS Dhoni

The seasoned campaigner picks himself for the wicket-keeping spot in India's limited-overs sides. Dhoni's stumping of Upul Tharanga in the last ODI was a proof of the fact that he hasn't lost even an iota of sharpness.

All-rounders

Hardik Pandya

The Mumbai Indians all-rounder is also an automatic choice in the playing XI. Pandya can be sent up the order as well if the need arises and has the ability to finish the innings strongly as well. That he can chip in with a few overs is a bonus, though he does need to work on his bowling.

Washington Sundar

The youngster, who made his ODI debut in the series against Sri Lanka after Kedar Jadhav was forced to withdraw, will most probably make his T20I debut as well. Dependable with the bat and more than a handy off-break bowler, Washington has the talent to go the distance.

Spinners

Kuldeep Yadav

The Uttar Pradesh spinner has made a mark on the international circuit since making his debut and along with Yuzvendra Chahal, leads the spin department for India in the limited-overs formats and will continue to do so in the T20I series as well.

Yuzvendra Chahal

The Haryana-leggie has been a revelation and has impressed quite a few critics with his gutsy bowling. Never afraid to invite batsmen down the track, Chahal is always among the wickets and will hope to continue to do more of the same in Cuttack as well.

Pacers

Jasprit Bumrah

One of the best death bowlers going around at the moment, Bumrah will lead the Indian pace battery in Cuttack. With Bhuvi not in the side, the youngster will go in the match as the senior pacer as one of Siraj, Unadkat and Thampi will partner him.

Mohammed Siraj

The 23-year-old made his debut for the senior side in the T20I series against New Zealand. Though he went for a few runs, Indian team management would want to give him another go before trying out other options. So, Siraj will complete our probable XI for the first of the three-match T20I series between India and Sri Lanka.