Senior-most Shikhar Dhawan will be driving the side in Sri Lanka while Rahul Dravid, who is at the head of the National Cricket Academy, will assume control over the coaching obligations for the young Indian team. 

There are five players who have accepted their maiden national call-ups — Ruturaj Gaikwad, Devdutt Padikkal, K Gowtham, Chetan Sakariya, and Nitish Rana. It’s an astonishing time for these youths highlighting in an away tour under the tutelage of Dravid and gaining from the experienced Dhawan and Bhuvneshwar Kumar. 

Dravid however has clarified that the main target will be to win the series and the team will be chosen likewise. Yet, the crew is overflowing with talent and the team management faces a selection problem as they head into the ODI series.

The wicket-keeper battle

Sanju Samson and Kishan are both vying to get into that T20 World Cup squad and this Sri Lankan tour will be significant for them. Kishan is one name that has been on the outskirts throughout the previous few years but due to inconsistencies, he wasn’t able to unlock the selection entryway. 

The Jharkhand batsman got going in style with a 32-ball 56 as an opener on his T20I debut against England. Regardless, he’s shown that he has a sparkle in him and that he can adjust to different batting positions with significant commitments in the middle order also for Mumbai Indians. 

In, out, in, out. Samson’s career has been continually wavering between the two. He too had been on the edges for quite a while. However, at long last, whenever he got an opportunity, he failed to satisfy the hopes. Those inconsistencies have harmed him, seeing as he’s not made a critical contribution in the chances he’s been given. In the seven T20Is he’s played for India, he’s found the average of only 11.85 with a high score of 23. 

Match Prediction: Sri Lanka vs India 1st ODI Match Prediction

There isn’t a lot much to differentiate the two as far as a selection. With Rishabh Pant being the top pick to take up the glovework for the T20 World Cup, and the presence of Rahul who can likewise keep, Kishan and Samson will need to stock up their batting game to give it a shot as pure batsmen. 

The spin banter

Spin generally plays an imperative part in the sluggish and flat pitches of Sri Lanka. India has included six spinners for their line-up (in the event that you include the all-rounders also) — Yuzvendra Chahal, Rahul Chahar, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy, Krunal Pandya, and K Gowtham. There is a battle inside the battle here, with nearly everybody competing for the T20 World Cup berth. 

Kuldeep gives them the left-arm wrist spin dimension, while Yuzvendra Chahal brings the experience. There are chances we may see the ‘KulCha’ reunion which may, in turn, catalyze their individual careers. 

Kuldeep is looking to resurrect his career after a long period of struggle. Even Chahal who was once India’s premier spinner has been battling of late and his flight ticket for T20 WC might not yet be guaranteed. Rahul Chahar has been continuously climbing up the ladder with his performances in the IPL — becoming a vital cog for MI — and domestic cricket and staking his claim to a spot in the Indian side.

Varun Chakravarthy, who has been noteworthy in the IPL, has been in the plan of things of the selectors yet his fitness has been a significant obstacle. He’s been a vital piece of the KKR setup and would hope to prove his fitness in the event if he gets an opportunity. 

It’s hard to see three wrist spinners get into the side, so just one of Chahar or Chahal may get a spot in the eleven. Krunal may clinch that subsequent all-rounder’s spot given the start to his ODI career where he scored a 31-ball 58 on debut and the way that he carries significantly more confirmation and stability with the bat in the lower order and can be utilized for gagging the score in the middle overs with two attaching spinners.