Indian team for Sri Lanka tour to be announced Today

The Indian contingent for the Test Series against the neighbouring country, Sri Lanka will be announced today. It is highly likely that the third spinner might make it to the squad, taking into consideration the subcontinent conditions.

The selectors will gather in New Delhi for a meeting to be headed by Chief Selector, Sandeep Patil. The three-match Test series will mark its start from the 12th August. The main circumstances to be considered by the five-member panel includes the decision to play a third specialist spinner and whether to send a fifteen or a sixteen-member squad to Sri Lanka.

Apparently, 12-13 players are certain to make it to the final squad. Among the specialist batsmen, the sure shot choices include skipper Virat Kohli, Shikhar Dhawan, Murali Vijay, Ajinkya Rahane (aka ‘jinx’), Rohit Sharma and Cheteshwar Pujara.

The spot of a specialist wicket-keeper is all set to be stolen by Wriddhiman Saha. However, there is a possibility that selectors might pick Naman Ojha or Sanju Samson as the 16th member in the squad.

Among the pace battery, Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav and Bhuvneshwar Kumar are the obvious choices. Varun Aaron, if he recovers, might be considered.

Among the spinners, Ashwin and Harbhajan are hopeful to retain their places in the team. The third spinner is possibly going to be either Amit Mishra or Axar Patel. Mishra has an upper hand in terms of experience and Axar’s recent performance also improves Mishra’s odds.

India’s Probable Squad for Sri Lanka Tour: Virat Kohli (C), Murali Vijay, Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane, Cheteshwar Pujara, KL Rahul, Wriddhiman Saha, Ravichandran Ashwin, Harbhajan Singh, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Axar Patel/Amit Mishra, Varun Aaron, Sanju Samson/Naman Ojha.