In the current Sri Lanka trip, a second-string Indian squad hasn’t done anything wrong. The visitors went away with a 38-run victory in the opening T20I after winning the ODI series 2-1. With the involvement of many players under cloudy skies, India’s chances in the next two T20Is may not be as bright. Krunal Pandya, the all-rounder, tested positive for COVID-19 and was ruled out of the series.
Additionally, eight players were identified as being near to the southpaw and were subjected to RT-PCR testing as well. Apart from Krunal, no other player on the visiting squad tested positive for the virus. This, however, does not solve Team India’s issues. Due to safety concerns, the eight players will not participate in the second T20I on Wednesday (July 28). As a result, nine members of the team will be unavailable for the next match.
While no formal statement has been made, Sports Tak has published the identities of the eight players that are close to Krunal. Hardik Pandya, Yuzvendra Chahal, Suryakumar Yadav, Prithvi Shaw, Krishnappa Gowtham, Shikhar Dhawan, Ishan Kishan, and Manish Pandey are the players in question. With the exception of Pandey and Gowtham, all of the players took part in the first T20I. If these names are not available, India would have to make at least seven modifications.
The squad only has four hitters.
In that scenario, it will be fascinating to watch India’s starting lineup. The only batters left in the remaining team are Devdutt Padikkal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sanju Samson, and Nitish Rana, who would all be definite starts. As a result, India will have to play seven bowlers. As a result, if the third wicket falls, the whole storey will be revealed.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar, the original squad’s vice-captain, will have to lead the team in this scenario, and he’ll have a task on his hands. Bhuvneshwar would have to get runs while batting at number five or six in addition to delivering a fantastic session. Deepak Chahar will also be expected to perform well with the bat. Despite his match-winning 69-run performance in the ODI series, batting in the top six will be a new task for him.
Kuldeep Yadav, Rahul Chahar, Chetan Sakariya, Navdeep Saini, and Varun Chakravarthy will fill the remaining spots. This bowling lineup is more than capable of keeping the Lankan Lions at bay. Can this offence, though, compensate for the weakened batting order? Only time will tell whether this is true.
Devdutt Padikkal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sanju Samson (WK), Nitish Rana, Kuldeep Yadav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar (C), Varun Chakravarthy, Deepak Chahar, Rahul Chahar, Chetan Sakariya, Navdeep Saini, Varun Chakravarthy, Deepak Chahar