India vs Australia: Sanjay Manjrekar picks his Indian playing XI for the first T20I

India will be certainly looking to plug the small holes with the World Cup in mind when they will step on the field for the first T20I against Australia. The skipper Virat Kohli has already stressed the possibility of some eyebrow-raising changes in the playing XI during the series. Ahead of the series opener in Vizag, all the eyes are on the Men in Blue’s line-up and the former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has tried to Kohli’s mind by picking his own team.

Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan will open the innings which has been the norm but Manjrekar hasn’t selected KL Rahul in the team. Virat Kohli will bat next who is back after a significant rest. Interestingly, MS Dhoni doesn’t find a place in this XI as Sanjay feels that India should try out Rishabh Pant behind the stumps who will also bat four.

“Considering that MS Dhoni is now a certainty for the World Cup, it is worthwhile having a look at someone like Pant again, create healthy competition,” he said while speaking to ESPNCricinfo.

Markande to make a debut?

With Mayank Markande also in the trimmed 14-man squad, Sanjay Manjrekar feels that there is no harm in giving the youngster a go who can go into the World Cup as a surprise package. Dinesh Karthik is fighting for a spot with Pant and he also makes it to the XI batting at five mostly as a finisher.

“A few spots still are open – people like Rishabh Pant coming in contention, Vijay Shankar, Ravindra Jadeja as the spin alternative and Markande as well as – who India can try like a wild card entry into the World Cup squad,” Manjrekar further added.

Well, as far as the bowling attack is concerned, Siddarth Kaul, Umesh Yadav and Jasprit Bumrah will form the pace trio with Chahal leading the spin bowling. He feels that only one of Vijay Shankar or Krunal Pandya might get a place for the Vizag T20I.

Sanjay Manjrekar’s playing XI: Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli (c), Rishabh Pant (wk), Dinesh Karthik, Vijay Shankar/Krunal Pandya, Mayank Markande, Siddarth Kaul, Yuzvendra Chahal, Umesh Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah.

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