Rohit Sharma Captain, Virat Kohli Back: India's Probable 15-Member Squad For ODI Series Against Sri Lanka

Rohit Sharma is likely to lead Team India in Sri Lanka ODIs. Photo: BCCI

KEY HIGHLIGHTS India will tour Sri Lanka for 3 ODIs and 3 T20Is

Rohit Sharma could return for the ODIs

Virat Kohli can also return for the series

A week after winning the 2024 T20 World Cup, India made their on-field return in the T20I series against Zimbabwe. A second-string squad is facing Zimbabwe in a five-match T20I series. The Men in Blue will stay on the road after the Zimbabwe series and will tour Sri Lanka for 3 ODIs and as many T20Is.

While the selectors are once again expected to field a second-string squad for the T20Is, all the regulars should return for the three ODIs. India aren't scheduled to play many ODI series before the all-important 2025 Champions Trophy and all the first-choice players are likely to return for the 50-over matches.

Rohit Sharma Virat Kohli and many other players haven't played an ODI since the 2023 World Cup final, where India lost to Australia. As the fans wait for an official update on the squad from the BCCI, here we have a look at India's probable 15-member squad for the ODI series against Sri Lanka -

Batsmen

Rohit Sharma is likely to make his return. The BCCI has already confirmed that he will be leading India in the Champions Trophy. Shubman Gill is confirmed to open the innings with him. Virat Kohli will continue to bat at number 3.

Shreyas Iyer , who was surprisingly ignored for a place in the Zimbabwe series, could be handed a recall. He has been India's best number 4 batsman. He was dropped from the BCCI's central contract list earlier in the year. Rinku Singh is expected to retain his spot in the squad.

Wicketkeepers

KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant look all but set to be the two wicketkeepers. Rahul has an edge over Rishabh in ODIs and could get preference in the playing XI. Rahul now bats in the middle-order in 50-over cricket.

All-rounders

No doubts here. Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel and Hardik Pandya will be three all-rounders in the team. Hardik hasn't played an ODI since the league stage game of the 2023 WC against Bangladesh. He will make his return as the vice-captain. The star all-rounder could be named the captain if Rohit is rested for the series.

Bowlers

Arshdeep Singh, Khaleel Ahmed, Avesh Khan and Mohammed Siraj are expected to be four pacers in the team. Jasprit Bumrah's workload is expected to be managed and he isn't expected to tour Sri Lanka. Kuldeep Yadav will continue to lead India's spin attack.

India's probable squad for Sri Lanka ODIs: Rohit Sharma (Captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Rinku Singh, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Hardik Pandya (Vice-captain), Arshdeep Singh, Khaleel Ahmed, Avesh Khan, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav