5 Indian players who might not get a chance in T20I and Test series against Sri Lanka

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced squad for both T20Is and Tests in a home series to be played against Sri Lanka starting from February 24. The host will look to maintain their dominance in the home season as they have cleanswept the West Indies in the T20I series under new skipper Rohit Sharma. Depleted after facing a series loss by the hands of Australia down under, Sri Lanka will be looking to put up a fight against the mighty Indians. There is a great chance for the hosts to try out some new faces who have been included in the squad. However, it is a harsh truth that not everyone will get a chance. Five Indians who might miss out on playing in the series 5. Saurabh Kumar (Tests) Saurabh Kumar. (Photo Source: Twitter) It must have brought a great deal of joy for the 28-year old bowling all-rounder Saurabh Kumar, when he would have found about his selection in the national team. Born on May 1, 1993 Kumar hails from Baghpat, Uttar Pradesh. The left-arm spinner has played domestic cricket for UP at U19 and U22 levels. He made his Ranji Trophy debut for Services in 2014 against Himachal Pradesh. In his brief career of 46 first-class matches, the left-handed all-rounder has taken a total of 196 wickets going at an economy of 2.70. His best figures in an innings include a seven-wicket haul as well. Even though the bowler has shown his mettle in the domestic circuit, it is very unlikely that he would be able get a spot in the playing 11, with ace-spinner Ravi Ashwin in the team. Even if the veteran spinner is rested, another spin all-rounder Jayant Yadav, who has been a regular in team India will be given the priority. 4. Priyank Panchal (Tests) Priyank Panchal. (Photo Source: Twitter) Domestic heavyweight Priyank Panchal has been in and out of the Indian squad for many years now. Even though he has been selected a number of times, the stylish right-handed batter is yet to play his first match for the country. The 31-year old has played more than 100 first-class matches over the last 13 years, meaning there’s no shortage of experience. In his 165 innings at the first-class level, Panchal has scored 7068 runs at an average of 45.30 with 24 centuries and 25 half-centuries. Back in the 2016-17 Ranji Trophy, the Ahmedabad-born batter amassed over 1300 runs and became the leading run-scorer of the tournament. However, with skipper Rohit Sharma set to open the innings, there’s only one vacant slot for the opener. The in-form batter Mayank Agarwal, who stuck a century in a Test match recently played against New Zealand will be the first choice to partner with the skipper. 3. Kuldeep Yadav (Tests) Kuldeep Yadav. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images) After a long haul of more than two years, Kuldeep Yadav, in February 2021, made his return to the Indian Test side against England. The chinaman bowler took two wickets in the second match of the series. However, Yadav was dropped in the very next match, despite India winning the contest comfortably. Yadav has been a part of the Indian Test squad for a very long time, but only has warmed the bench. With both Test matches to be played on wickets better suited for pace bowlers and India having four spin all-rounder options in the team, chances of Kuldeep getting a game are bleak. The 27-year old spinner has represented India in seven Test matches and picked up 26 wickets including a five-wicket haul in Australia. 2. Shreyas Iyer (T20Is) Shreyas Iyer. (Photo Source: Twitter/IPL) Despite being a regular feature for Men in Blue in T20Is, Shreyas Iyer has received a very less number of chances to showcase his talent in shortest format of the game. Iyer is one of the few players, who has been selected in both Test and T20I squads against Sri Lanka. Indian skipper Rohit Sharma recently admitted that the 27-year old would need to showcase all-round skills as per the team’s requirement for the middle order to be a regular feature of the squad. Iyer has so far played 33 T20I matches in which he has scored 605 runs at an average of 27.50. Playing at a strike rate of 132.97, the batter has three fifties under his belt. 1. Deepak Hooda (T20Is) Deepak Hooda. (Photo Source: Instagram) The 26-year old batting all-rounder recently made his ODI debut against West Indies, where he scored 55 runs and took one wicket in first two matches he played. The power hitter from Rohtak has now also been named in team India’s T20I squad against Sri Lanka. Hooda was first picked in the Indian squad back in December 2017. However, he didn’t get a game in that series. Similarly, he was selected for a tri-series India played against Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in March 2018, but didn’t find his place in the playing XI as well. Deepak Hooda is a power hitter and will be looking to prove his worth if he gets chance. However, with Venkatesh Iyer, Deepak Chahar and Shardul Thakur performing well for India in T20Is, it is unlikely that he will get a chance. Hooda, a right-handed batsman, has so far played 141 T20 matches in which he has amassed 2,172 runs at an average of 23.86. He also has 13 fifties and one century to his name.

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5 Indian players who might not get a chance in T20I and Test series against Sri Lanka

Given the team combination in both formats, these players might have to warm the bench in all matches.

2. Shreyas Iyer (T20Is)

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