Sanjay Manjrekar picks India’s playing XI for Sri Lanka T20I series, Chetan Sakariya included

With the England Test series clashing with the limited-overs series against Sri Lanka, BCCI will send a team of white-ball specialists to the island nation. The tour of Sri Lanka comprises three ODIs and as many T20Is, starting from July 13. It is indeed a great chance for many youngsters to shine at the international level and stake a claim in India’s squad for the T20 World Cup. However, the biggest question is how India’s white-ball team will look?

Former Indian batsman Sanjay Manjrekar presented his opinion on the same in a recent interaction. He was asked to pick India’s T20I XI for the Sri Lanka series, and the renowned commentator named a strong team. While Manjrekar picked India regulars as Shikhar Dhawan and Hardik Pandya in his line-up, he also backed uncapped players Chetan Sakariya and Rahul Tewatia to catch the flight to Sri Lanka.

Talking to ESPNcricinfo, Manjrekar picked Delhi Capitals openers Shikhar Dhawan and Prithvi Shaw to join forces for the national team as well. The duo had a dream campaign in the now-postponed Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021, and their selection is all but certain. At number three and four, the former batsman picked Mumbai Indians dashers Suryakumar Yadav and Ishan Kishan and their selection should also not surprise many.

Manish Pandey, Chetan Sakariya selected in Sanjay Manjrekar’s Playing XI

Yadav and Kishan impressed in their debut T20I series against England earlier this year and should retain their places. Sunrisers Hyderabad’s Manish Pandey is next in Manjrekar’s playing XI. The right-handed batsman had a mixed IPL 2021 as he scored runs, but his cautious approach raised many eyebrows. Nevertheless, the former cricketer has backed the 31-year-old to shine in national colours.

Hardik Pandya and Rahul Tewatia are the two all-rounders in the veteran commentator’s line-up. Both these players weren’t at their absolute best in IPL 2021, and Pandya couldn’t even bowl due to his fitness issues. However, they have proved their prowess in the past, and Manjrekar has expectations from them.

Tewatia’s Rajasthan Royals teammate Chetan Sakariya also made a cut in Manjrekar’s XI. The left-arm pacer impressed one and all in IPL 2021, taking seven wickets in as many games. Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Deepak Chahar are the other two pacers in the side while Rahul Chahar is the lone specialist spinner. While the Chahar cousins shone in IPL 2021, Kumar was brilliant during the England series earlier this year.

Sanjay Manjrekar’s India T20I playing XI for Sri Lanka series: Shikhar Dhawan, Prithvi Shaw, Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan, Manish Pandey, Hardik Pandya, Rahul Tewatia, Chetan Sakariya, Rahul Chahar, Deepak Chahar, Bhuvneshwar Kumar

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