Will Virat Kohli unleash ‘KulCha’ in Pune? India’s predicted playing XI for 3rd T20I against Sri Lanka

After a comfortable seven-wicket win over Sri Lanka in the second T20I in Indore on Tuesday, India will aim to seal the three-match series 2-0 when they take on Sri Lanka in the third and final T20I at Maharastra Cricket Association Ground in Pune on Friday. Both the bowlers and batsmen impressed in what was a one-sided contest in Indore and the Men in Blue will be hoping for a similar show in the final game.

While Jasprit Bumrah looked in fine rhythm on his return, Navdeep Saini and Shardul Thakur managed to take the spotlight off the premier pacer with a brilliant performance. While Saini picked up two wickets bamboozling the Lankan batsmen with his pace, Shardul picked up a three-wicket haul and helped India restrict the visitors on a paltry total of 142 runs.

In reply, India chased down the target without breaking a sweat as KL Rahul (45) and Shikhar Dhawan (32) got the team off to a strong start before Virat Kohli (30) and Shreyas Iyer (34) finished things off in style for the hosts. India won the game with 15 balls to spare. Kohli might play an unchanged XI in the third T20I on Friday but would be tempted to bring Yuzvendra Chahal back into the playing XI as Pune pitch has traditionally helped spinners.

The weather prediction in Pune suggests that Sun will shine bright throughout the day and the pitch might get baked in the process. If that is the case, pairing up Kuldeep with Chahal will be a dream combination for India to trouble the Sri Lankan batsmen. Ravindra Jadeja could also get the nod ahead of Shivam Dube to have an extra spin option if Chahal is kept warming the bench.

Sanju Samson is unlikely to make the cut again with Rishabh Pant taking the wicket-keeper’s slot. Samson has now been in the squad for eight T20I games in a row but is yet to be named in the playing XI.

India’s predicted playing XI for the 3rd T20I against Sri Lanka:
KL Rahul, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli (C), Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Navdeep Saini, Jasprit Bumrah