Will Axar Patel get a nod in the playing XI for the Super 4 clash against Sri Lanka on Tuesday?

Source: Google

Xtra Time Web Desk: The left arm spinner could be drafted in the Playing XI in place of Ravi Bishnoi. Axar, who was named as a replacement for injured Ravindra Jadeja was not preferred in the game against Pakistan on Sunday. The team management might be influenced to play Ravichandran Ashwin as well keeping in mind the three left handers in Lankan batting order. Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Danushka Gunathilaka and Charith Assalanka are the three left handers in the Sri Lankan line up. So, bringing in an off-spinner could be useful.

Experienced Dinesh Karthik could make way in the playing XI in place of Deepak Hooda. The all-rounder made little impact at No 7. He could only manage 16 off 14 balls. Hence, Karthik could be an option. It will be interesting to see if Rishabh Pant keeps his place in the playing XI or not. With both Pant and Karthik playing, India will have only five specialist bowlers.

Another interesting selection dilemma will be whether to include fit-again Avesh Khan. The fast bowler missed the Pakistan game because of viral fever. But with the pitches slowing down, India might prefer to go in with an extra spinner rather than a pacer.

As far as the batting order is concerned, there is unlikely going to be any changes.

India’s likely playing XI against Sri Lanka will be Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Dinesh Karthik/Rishabh Pant (wk), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Avesh Khan/Ravichandran Ashwin, Arshdeep Singh and Yuzvendra Chahal.