India Playing XI vs Sri Lanka Asia Cup 2023 Final: Seven-time winners India is all set to lock horns with defending champions Sri Lanka in IND vs SL Asia Cup 2023 Final on Sunday (September 17) at R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo. The Men in Blue are expected to make a plethora of changes to their line-up after their bitter defeat against Bangladesh in their Asia Cup 2023 Super 4 match.
Shreyas Iyer's fitness and availibilty for Asia Cup 2023 Final remains uncertain. In another setback, all-rounder Axar Patel, suffering from a wrist injury, won't be part of the IND vs SL summit clash. Washington Sundar has been called in as his replacement. Star players Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya will be back in India Playing XI vs SL. India is all set to recall the playing XI which they fielded against Pakistan in the Super 4 round, barring Axar Patel.
India Playing XI vs Sri Lanka: Here's what fans can expect
Shubman Gill, who scored a remarkable ton against Bangladesh, will open with captain Rohit Sharma
At number three, batting icon Virat Kohli, who was replaced by Tilak Verma in the last game, will return for the summit clash.
Though Virat was rested for India-Bangladesh fixture due to workload management, he had an intense net session during this match.
KL Rahul, making a dream comeback to the side, will most likely be picked as wicket-keeper batter.
Star all-rounders Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja will slot right in at No 6 and at No 7, respectively.
Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav and Mohammed Siraj, who were rested, will also return.
Ishan Kishan vs Shreyas Iyer
Ishan Kishan has been in sensational form and played alongside Rahul in India XI as second wicket-keeper option. It is still not clear whether Iyer is match-fit or not but dropping in-form Ishan to fit in Iyer would send a wrong signal to the youngster.
Axar Patel vs Shardul Thakur
Axar Patel is likely to miss the summit clash. He suffered a wrist injury. Washington Sundar, who has been called in as cover to replace injured Axar, can be impactful against Sri Lankan left-handers. If the pitch in Colombo turns out to be spin-friendly, Shardul is likely to miss out.
India Probable Playing XI vs SL in Asia Cup 2023 Final: Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul (WK), Ishan Kishan/Shreyas Iyer, Hardik Pandya (VC), Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel/ Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah