India’s three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka kicks off on Sunday after being briefly postponed due to Covid-19 cases in the touring camp.

The Indian team will be without several of its big stars, most of whom are currently gearing up to face England in a Test series from August. Shikhar Dhawan will lead the side, with as many as six uncapped players in the squad.

Four Wisden.com writers share their preferred India XI for the first game of the series.

Ben Gardner, Wisden.com managing editor

The top five is gun, and brokers little debate. Shikhar Dhawan brings some experience, enough so the newbies can just play. While the likes of Devdutt Padikkal and Ruturaj Gaikwad are promising, it’s those four you can see making a real play for a first-choice at some point before long.

The bowling attack is tougher. Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal are known entities, but also not as good as you would expect India’s main spinners to be. Rahul Chahar and Varun Chakravarthy are the bowlers in vogue in the IPL, and the latter is particularly intriguing, a proper mystery spinner who could make a real difference at a global tournament.

As for the quicks, I’ve gone with Navdeep Saini and Chetan Sakariya to partner Bhuvneshwar Kumar. The former struggled in the ODIs in Australia but showed in the Tests he’s got the mettle for the top level, while Chetan Sakariya, a left-arm quick, is properly exciting.

Aadya Sharma, Wisden India editor

Dhawan and Shaw’s fire and ice pairing worked well in the IPL, and both are likely to thrive on Sri Lanka’s slow pitches too. Suryakumar Yadav’s progression from domestic cricket to India has been seamless – getting runs on this tour could strengthen his T20 World Cup chances. Pandey’s perennial struggle to earn a lasting spot in the team might continue, but in short, experimental series like these, it’s worth featuring an experienced hand to anchor the middle order. Sanju Samson starts over Ishan Kishan for me – I’d prefer the latter for the T20Is that follow. The Pandya brothers are a strong all-round pairing, and it could be a chance for Hardik to ease into his bowling post-injury.

If Hardik does bowl, having Deepak Chahar and Bhuvneshwar Kumar as quicks should do, with Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal reuniting after what seems like ages. With Krunal in there too, the trio of spin bowlers should be enough to clamp down on an under-fire Sri Lankan batting line-up.

Rohit Sankar, Wisden India staff writer

Padikkal has a terrific List A record and is someone India should be trying in the format in the lead-up to the 2023 World Cup. As such, any opportunity to bring him into the side shouldn’t be missed. That said, Shaw and Dhawan are too promising a pair at the top to not utilise, so Padikkal might have to move to No.3.

Samson’s potential is there for the world to see. It’s only a matter of time before he makes a name in world cricket. At No.5, Samson can dictate terms in the middle overs alongside Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya.

This could be a last-gasp look at Krunal to see if he fits India’s limited-overs plans. With Washington Sundar available in a full-strength team alongside Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel, Krunal’s chances can come only if he manages to take off with the bat and bowl economical spells.

There are only four quicks to pick from. While Deepak Chahar needs game time, it’s ideally in the shortest format. Here, Sakariya, a left-arm seamer is someone India will want to see at close quarters early on in their build-up to the next ODI World Cup.

Rahul Chahar has been biding his time in the wings and now is his chance to grab it. Chahal and Kuldeep can remain on the sidelines, but Chahar ought to start for India in the ODIs. They wouldn’t want to unleash Chakravarthy in the ODIs.

Sarah Waris, Wisden India staff writer

The openers are a no-brainer, but there are plenty of choices to pick from for No.3. I would want Devdutt Padikkal to be given a go — not only has he impressed in the IPL but also because this series is a platform for youngsters, and there is none better than Padikkal who deserves to get in. Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar are certainties, while for the keeper I have gone in with Sanju Samson over Ishan Kishan. Despite the latter’s impressive international start, Samson has been waiting in the wings for a while, and one hopes he can finally return with a string of consistent scores.

Krunal is in for batting depth, while Sakariya promises to offer plenty with his left-arm bowling. Rahul Chahar pips both Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav because the duo have been given extended runs in the past, and this is the perfect time to test Rahul and give him game time ahead of the T20 World Cup. Varun Chakravarthy, considering his fitness issues, is best left to feature in T20Is. Deepak Chahar comes ahead of Saini, who has struggled of late.

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