Nidahas Trophy 2018: India’s predicted XI for first T20I against Sri Lanka

Middle-order

Suresh Raina

Suresh Raina made a successful comeback to the Indian T20I team with some good performances in the recently concluded T20I series in South Africa. He was promoted to No. 3 to gain some confidence and he repaid the faith of the captain. He also won the Man of the Match in the third T20I for his all-round performance (43 and 1/27).

Hence, Raina will look to continue the good work and try to cement his place in the limited-overs sides.

Manish Pandey

After sitting out for all 6 ODIs in South Africa, Manish Pandey got his opportunity in the T20I series. He started the series with a sluggish 27-ball 29, but he found his rhythm in the second game as he struck a superb 79 which helped India post a total of 188.

Thus, like Raina, Pandey will also be vying to cement his spot with some good scores.

Dinesh Karthik

Dinesh Karthik joined the Indian team just before the third Test in South Africa and got an opportunity in only one game - in the third T20I. In that game, he scored 13 in just 6 deliveries.

With key players from the middle-order missing, Karthik has the opportunity to impress the team management.