'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.'
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.
Washington is the third player after Shubman Gill and Avesh Khan to be ruled out of the tour.
Jasprit Bumrah and Shikhar Dhawan are also back in both the squads, while pacer Mohammed Shami got a break from the T20 series.
Team India will have to choose between experimenting and continuing the winning combination
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.
Rajasthan are third on the points table, and it is mostly because of the flamboyant Jos Buttler.
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.
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.
A summary of action from the Ranji Trophy matches played on Tuesday.
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.
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.
Play was halted briefly at the Sydney Cricket Ground when the pitch was invaded by two protesters.
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.
Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane's position in group A of the BCCI central contracts could be up for deliberation
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.
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.
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.
Rohit made a return to the Indian team for the Pink Test to be held at the Sydney Cricket Ground
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.
When Mizoram batted, Shreevats Goswami (31) was the only significant scorer but the seasoned Mumbai attack led by Dhawal Kulkarni kept the minnows under check.
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.
Having released 10 players ahead of the auction, the team management focussed on strengthening the batting and pace bowling units.
While Rajasthan, placed second in the standings, have lost only two games and won six, Mumbai are already out of contention for a play-off berth
India play the opening T20I against New Zealand on Friday.
The second-string Indian led by Shikhar Dhawan departed for Colombo on Monday for their limited overs against Sri Lanka next month.
Debutants Gujarat Titans will start as favourites against spin-heavy former champions Rajasthan Royals when the two teams face-off in the first IPL Qualifier, at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata, on Tuesday.
Two wrist-spinners, who are currently dominating the bowling charts will be itching to show their wares
Jos Buttler would be eagerly waiting to pounce on an inexperienced Chennai Super Kings attack in order to clinch a play-offs berth for Rajasthan Royals in the IPL 2022 match on Friday.
Their confidence severely dented after two comprehensive defeats, last edition's runners-up side Kolkata Knight Riders will be looking to get their inconsistent campaign back on track when they face Rajasthan Royals in the IPL match in Mumbai on Monday.
A battle royale is on the cards when Hardik Pandya's Gujarat Titans take on the Sanju Samson-led Rajasthan Royals, two line-ups armed with potent bowling units in a top-of-the-table IPL showdown at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on Thursday.
Delhi Capitals need to win all their remaining three matches to keep their hopes alive of making it to the IPL 2022 play-offs.
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.
FIXTURES (Start at 14.40 local, 0910 IST, 0340 GMT)
According to an IMD forecast issued on Thursday, a heatwave spell will persist over northwest and central India during the next five days and over east India during the next three days.
RCB skipper Virat Kohli will join the squad on Thursday.
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