India announces team for Nidahas Trophy; Kohli, Dhoni rested

New Delhi: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) selection committee on Sunday announced the second-string Indian Cricket team for the Nidahas Trophy.

Rohit Sharma will continue to captain India as Virat Kohli along with Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya have been rested.

MS Dhoni was not available for selection as he had requested for leave. Tamil Nadu's Dinesh Karthik and Delhi's Rishabh Pant are two options for wicket-keeping.

The T20I tournament also features Bangladesh as the third team. All matches will be held at the R. Premadasa Stadium in the Sri Lankan capital.

"We've kept in mind the workload and upcoming schedule while finalizing the team for Nidahas Trophy," Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)'s All-India Senior Selection Committee Chairman M.S.K. Prasad said in a statement.

"The high-performance team has suggested that adequate rest should be given to our fast bowlers to help improve athletic performance, maximize rest and prevent injury."

Karnataka top-order batsman Lokesh Rahul has returned to the squad, as have Pant, Deepak Hooda and Shankar.

In the absence of pacers Bhuvneshwar and Bumrah, the responsibility will be on Jaydev Unadkat and Shardul Thakur -- both were in the victorious team in South Africa. Mohammad Siraj and all-rounder Vijay Shankar are also medium-pace bowling options.

Left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav too has not been picked. His place has been taken by Tamil Nadu teenager Washington Sundar.

The T20I tri-series will be held in Sri Lanka from March 6 to 18.

The tournament has been organised in order to mark the 70th anniversary of Sri Lanka's independence.

India T20I squad for Nidahas Trophy:

Rohit Sharma (Captain), Shikhar Dhawan (vc), KL Rahul, Suresh Raina, Manish Pandey, Dinesh Karthik, Deepak Hooda, Washington Sundar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Axar Patel, Vijay Shankar, Shardul Thakur, Jaydev Unadkat, Mohd Siraj, Rishabh Pant

Schedule:

March 6: Sri Lanka v India

March 8: Bangladesh v India

March 10: Sri Lanka v Bangladesh

March 12: India v Sri Lanka

March 14: India v Bangladesh

March 16: Bangladesh v Sri Lanka

March 18: Final