The three-match T20I series versus Sri Lanka, beginning on Sunday at the Premadasa, assumes significance since these are all the games Team India will have at their disposal before the T20 World Cup.
Obviously, the remaining 31 matches of this year’s IPL too will be there for the players to prove their mettle, but in terms of team combination, the coming three T20Is will have a huge impact.
The likes of Devdutt Padikkal, Ruturaj Gaikwad and mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy would certainly be awaiting their chances for a berth in the XI. But skipper Shikhar Dhawan categorically mentioned that the newcomers would be included only if India seal the series before the final game, as was the case during the ODI leg of the tour.
On a personal note, too, this series is very significant for Dhawan as he’s not yet an automatic choice in India’s T20I team despite being in good rhythm lately. “Of course, any international match has its own impact, and whenever you perform internationally, it makes a huge impact.
“So I’m really looking forward to perform here and make my case stronger for the World Cup. Then we’ll see how it goes in the future,” Dhawan said on Saturday.
“As a team, we have created an amazing environment and looking forward to doing well.”
- Match starts: 8pm IST
