With just two and half months left for the T20 Cricket World Cup in Sri Lanka, do not expect Team India to experiment much with the playing XI. The performance at the Indian Premier League might come into consideration and few players who performed well in the recently concluded tournament might get a chance in the 15 man squad but it is highly unlikely that they would fidget with the usual playing XI as when it comes to big tournament the selectors generally try and tend to go with their tried and trusted.

India would play three T20 internationals and in all likelihood would use these matches as dress rehearsal and the players forming the team for these crucial ties before the World are likely to feature in the team for the World Cup.  

Based on their IPL performances and past records, these players are likely to form the team for the fourth edition of the tournament.

Virender Sehwag: He was going through a bad phase before the IPL and the last T20 international India played in South Africa, Sehwag was not part of it as he was rested by the BCCI. But in IPL he was in a devastating form which brought to the fore that Sehwag is someone who cannot be written off so soon. And irrespective of his IPL performance, he is someone who can’t be kept out of the side in such an important considering his past records. He is an automatic choice to open the batting for India in Sri Lanka.

Gautam Gambhir: He came into the tournament with good form and did carry on with it. He was at his elegant best in the tournament and it was largely due to his performance that Kolkata Knight Riders won the tournament. He scored six half centuries and was looking at his best. He is the one who should be partnering Sehwag at the top of the innings.

Ajinkya Rahane: He should make it to the 15-men squad as the third opener. He was the first Indian player to score a century in this year’s IPL. He finished the tournament as the fourth highest run getter. He is technically sound and has proved that in the tournament. He is a player who is tailor-made to open the innings and is all probability should find a spot in team as the third opener. He might also get a chance to play few matches if the rotation policy is adopted in the tournament.

Virat Kohli: There is no one who could replace Virat Kohli in the team at this moment. He is the vice-captain and after Rahul Dravid no one has looked more dominating than him in the number three position. He might not have had a good IPL but then there are some players who rise to occasion when it comes to national duty and Kohli is one of them.

Suresh Raina: He is the best Indian batsmen over the years for T20 cricket. He has been the most consistent batsmen for Chennai Super Kings and also India. He might not have had an outing as everyone expected him to but he is a big match player and he proved it with his brilliant in the IPL final. The conditions just suit him and in the sub-continent condition one just cannot ignore him. His bowling would also come handy in the tournament.

Rohit Sharma: One of the most technically sound batsmen of the team at present, he often has come under criticism due to inconsistency. Sharma has this in him that he would set his eyes in and then throw away his wicket by playing a real poor shot. He has ended as the best batmen for the Mumbai Indians in the IPL 5. But irrespective of all that he is a proven customer and would definitely make it to the playing XI due to his quality.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni: Man with the Midas touch, Captain Cool would lead the side. His Test captaincy might have come under scrutiny in the past but when it comes down to the shorter format of the game he is irreplaceable. He has already lead India to limited overs World Cup and T20 World Cup triumph and would like to add one more to the trophy cabinet. And it is not only his captaincy but his batting as well that makes him a crucial part of the side. He is just devastating in this form of the game as has been seen earlier and he can win matches on his own.

Ambati Rayudu: Rayudu has been one consistent performer since the time he joined Mumbai Indians. He was one of the major reasons why Mumbai reached the finals in IPL-3. Rayudu is a versatile player and can bat at any position. This season Rayudu played some scintillating innings and won Mumbai some close contest. No one can forget his heroics against Royal Challengers Bangalore where he single-handedly won Mumbai the match. Rayudu can also keep wickets and was a regular wicket-keeper for Mumbai before Dinesh Karthik joined the team. His inclusion in the team can take some pressure of MS Dhoni.

Irfan Pathan: After almost two years of sabbatical he came back to Indian Team in the home series against West Indies in 2011. He made a good comeback and was in thereafter played in Australia and Bangladesh. He had a good outing at the IPL as well and that does make him a strong competitor for the number seven spot on the team.

Ravindra Jadeja: He was the biggest buy of the Indian Premier League this season. But then he could not prove the price tag. The all-rounder from Saurashtra  has performed well for India in the past in this format and Dhoni would surely in dilemma when it comes to choosing the allrounder for the team as Pathan brothers and Jadeja all fit in that bill. Dhoni would really have to break his head over it as all these players have their fortes and are fairly good in it.

Ravichandran Ashwin: He has been India’s first choice spinner for quite some time now and it highly unlikely that anyone could replace him in the side at the current moment. Moreover Dhoni has lot of faith on him and he performed well in the past donning Indian colours. Do not be surprised if he opens the bowling for India as he has done on earlier occasions.

Piyush Chawla: Chawla was the most successful Indian spinner in Indian Premier League season five. He took 16 wickets at a decent economy rate of 7.3. Chawla is a leg-spinner and will perfectly in the Indian team which is overloaded with leg spinners. He is a genuine wicket-taker and his batting abilities will prove as bonus for the team.  

Varun Aron/Parvinder Awana: Aron has already made his debut with the Indian Team and experience make him the top choice for the role, but Awana’s IPL outing in the IPL gives him an upper hand. It would be a task in hand to select either of these players.

Umesh Yadav: He should be India’s first choice bowler for the T20 World cup. He has India’s premier bowler for quite some time now and even had a good IPL season. He would be given the new ball by Dhoni.

Vinay Kumar: He has one of the consistent faces in Indian cricket for quite some time now and has been a regular member of India’s T20 side. He definitely would be the one who would be sharing the new ball with Umesh Yadav. Zaheer Khan has kept his distance from the international T20s in the past and the chances of him playing looks very rare. And that will make his RCB’s bowling partners job that more important.