A couple of false COVID-19 positive reports in the India A camp created a mild flutter before the visitors ended up with yet another stalemate with South Africa A as the three 'Test' series ended 0-0, in Bloemfontein, on Thursday.
Captain Virat Kohli is unlikely to feature in the tournament because of his India commitments.
The Indian team has turned into a mini-hospital with multiple players nursing injuries.
Despite the team management's faith in these two gentlemen, it is clear that they need to make way for others who could swing the decisive match at the N M stadium India's way.
Pant is part of the Indian Test squad and may not be available after the first few games while Dhawan is expected to play all matches.
Jasprit Bumrah and Shikhar Dhawan are also back in both the squads, while pacer Mohammed Shami got a break from the T20 series.
Gujarat opener Priyank Panchal is likely to lead India 'A' in three four-day 'Tests' against New Zealand 'A'
Fast bowler Navdeep Saini said representing India was a life-changing moment for him and he will look to continue his dream of playing at the highest level after getting a maiden Test call-up for the two-match series against New Zealand.
Yash Dhull set to open
SunRisers Hyderabad has the biggest purse while Kolkata Knight Riders has the slimmest purse.
Shahbaz Ahmed played his part to perfection and together with DK who stayed on till the end with a 23-ball 44, brought RCB back from the dead.
Sipper Rohit Sharma hailed Prasidh Krishna's impact in the second One-Day International against the West Indies after the pacer's four-wicket haul helped India defend 237 and win by 44 runs, in Ahmedabad, on Wednesday.
Royal Challengers Bangalore will be aiming to halt the Jos Buttler juggernaut when they take on Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League match at the MCA Stadium in Pune on Tuesday.
Washington is the third player after Shubman Gill and Avesh Khan to be ruled out of the tour.
Australia looked destined for their biggest score of the series against India after a half century from debutant opener Will Pucovski helped them to 166 for two at the end of the rain-disrupted first day of the third Test in Sydney on Thursday.
Images from Day 1 of the third Test between Australia and India at the SCG, on Thursday.
Team India will have to choose between experimenting and continuing the winning combination
Both the high-profile openers, Kohli and Faf du Plessis, are big match players and will be itching to make an impact after low returns in the previous game.
'In T20, you only have to bowl 24 balls, which works in our favour, but it's also important to trust your instincts as to which variations can work in which situations.'
It must be noted that Saini, who is set to be a part of India's touring team to Australia will also need the permission of BCCI's medical team, which is a keeping a tab on all international players.
Play was halted briefly at the Sydney Cricket Ground when the pitch was invaded by two protesters.
Up against Delhi Capitals, RCB will need to address their middle-order woes, to return to winning ways, in what could be touted as a battle of equals.
All-rounder Hardik Pandya is one of the notable promotions to Grade A, which is worth Rs 5 crore, while rookies Shubman Gill and Mohammed Siraj got their maiden central contracts, worth Rs 1 crore, in Grade C.
Rohit made a return to the Indian team for the Pink Test to be held at the Sydney Cricket Ground
Rajasthan are third on the points table, and it is mostly because of the flamboyant Jos Buttler.
Rohit Sharma is certain to replace Mayank Agarwal at the top of the order against Australia in the third Test, starting in Sydney from Thursday.
Guilty of making too many changes at the top, Kolkata Knight Riders will be looking to find a winning combination against Rajasthan Royals and snap their five-match losing streak in the IPL, at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, on Monday.
With most of the power-hitters in isolation after Krunal Pandya's COVID-19 positive case, India could score just 132 for 5 on a slow track. Sri Lanka chased down the total with two balls to spare and won by four wickets.
Rajasthan Royals' director of cricket and head coach Kumar Sangakkara believes they have a 'very competent' squad at their disposal to script a turnaround after three dismal IPL seasons.
India play the opening T20I against New Zealand on Friday.
Who do you think should be part of India's playing XI for Friday's third ODI against Sri Lanka?
Sri Lanka beat India by four wickets to draw level in the three-match series.
Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane's position in group A of the BCCI central contracts could be up for deliberation
Having released 10 players ahead of the auction, the team management focussed on strengthening the batting and pace bowling units.
Senior pro Bhuvneshwar Kumar was all praise for debutant Navdeep Saini, who starred in the India's win with figures of 3/17 in the first T20 International against West Indies.
In impressive form throughout the season, Lucknow Super Giants will look to bounce back from the reverse they suffered in their previous match and beat Rajasthan Royals in the IPL fixture at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai on Sunday and confirm a berth in the play-offs.
The second-string Indian led by Shikhar Dhawan departed for Colombo on Monday for their limited overs against Sri Lanka next month.
In other big movements, Punjab Kings have released their last edition's captain Mayank Agarwal, while West Indies skipper Nicholas Pooran was released by Sunrisers Hyderabad.
A summary of action from the Ranji Trophy matches played on Tuesday.
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