India vs Sri Lanka 2017: India's probable playing 11 for third ODI

Rohit Sharma's third double century helped India level the three-match ODI series after they suffered a drubbing at Dharamsala, being bowled out for 112. Heading into the deciding encounter at Visakhapatnam, India will be riding a wave of confidence and looking to seal yet another series victory.

Considering the nature of the surface at Vizag, India are likely to make changes to the side that won at Mohali. Here is how India could line-up for the all-important series decider:

Shikhar Dhawan was dismissed cheaply in the first ODI, but rebounded well in his next outing, stringing together a century stand with his partner in crime Rohit Sharma. The southpaw was in sublime touch until his dismissal and will surely have been disappointed having missed out on a century that was there for the taking. With India looking to seal the series, they need Dhawan to get them off to a flier, setting the tone for the rest of the batters.

All eyes were on Rohit Sharma in the second ODI at Mohali after a disastrous start to his captaincy tenure in the first ODI. Rohit responded in style though, pulverising the Sri Lankan bowlers en route to his third ODI double century. Rohit is the second leading run-scorer in ODIs this year and also the leading six-hitter. While he is 174 runs off top spot, who knows, another whirlwind knock like the previous one and he could just sit pretty at the summit come the new year.

Iyer will be looking to build on his performance in the second ODI

Shreyas Iyer had a debut to forget, crawling to an excruciating nine off 27 balls before Nuwan Pradeep put an end to his nightmare. Iyer was a different beast in the second ODI though, racing to 88 off just 70 balls, before perishing just two big hits away from a maiden century. Iyer looked remarkably fluent during his stay and if he continues in that vein, can definitely notch up his first ODI ton.

A few years down the line, when Dinesh Karthik narrates the story of his career to his grandkids, this is one series that he will surely give a pass. Karthik produced arguably the worst ODI innings of his career - or anyone's career for that matter - failing to score off his first 17 deliveries before falling off the 18th. He did not get an opportunity to redeem himself in the second ODI, being shunted down the order in favour of first MS Dhoni and then Hardik Pandya, and if Karthik wants to cement the No. 4 spot, this is probably the last opportunity he will get.

MS Dhoni silenced the naysayers with a vintage performance in the first ODI at Dharamsala as he waged a lone war against the Lankan bowlers, helping India avoid the embarrassment of being bowled out for under 100. He almost made the news for the wrong reasons in the second ODI for a possible breach of the fake fielding rules, however, nothing came of it. Dhoni will look to sign off in style in the final ODI at Visakhapatnam.

Pandya needs a big performance to silence the critics

Hardik Pandya is looking increasing unsettled in the Indian middle order. While he is guaranteed a place in the side simply by virtue of him being a pace bowling all-rounder, he needs to find a way to counter the moving ball early in his innings if he is to enjoy a sustained run in the side.

Washington Sundar was a surprise inclusion in the squad following the injury to Kedar Jadhav but he made an instant impact on debut in the second ODI, castling Lahiru Thirimanne. While he was on the expensive side, he will only improve with matches under his belt and experience at the highest level.

Kuldeep Yadav is set to return to the side

Kuldeep Yadav was surprisingly dropped for the Mohali game, but he could return at the expense of a batsman, with Manish Pandey, who has failed to set the world on fire with his recent showings, the most likely to make way. Kuldeep has impressed in his short international stint thus far, even managing a hat-trick in a game against Australia earlier this year. While he has managed to edge out the likes of Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin to a spot in the side, he needs to step his game up a notch if he is to feature consistently in future tours outside of India.

Yuzvendra Chahal has grown by leaps and bounds this past year in international cricket and is one of the first names on the team sheet. While he was not called into action in the opener with India defending a total of just over 100, he produced three crucial breakthroughs in the second ODI, dismissing Gunaratne, Dickwella and Perera to crucify the Sri Lankans. Chahal enjoys tossing the ball up and bringing the batsmen forward and so far, he has been successful doing just that.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar will look to sign off with a top-notch performance

Bhuvneshwar Kumar has added a touch of pace to his arsenal and now looks unplayable. He played just a single match in the Test series but finished with the side's best figures. He picked up a wicket apiece in the first two ODIs and the onus will be on him to get his side off to the perfect start with the ball.

Jasprit Bumrah was rewarded for a sensational 2017 with a call-up to the Indian squad for the South African tour. He was the pick of the bowlers in the second ODI, sending opener Gunathilaka back to the hut before coming back at the death to dismiss Akila Dananjaya. Bumrah is one of the leading death-bowlers going around and with the big hitters Sri Lanka possess lower down the order, he needs to be on top of his game if India are to restrict the Lankans.