India vs Sri Lanka, 2nd T20I: In Virat Kohli's absence, Ajinkya Rahane has a point to prove

New Delhi: Despite losing the first T20I against Sri Lanka, the current Indian team under MS Dhoni looks a formidable one, and he might play the same for ICC World Twenty20.

However, since Virat Kohli has been rested for the series, when the Delhi batsman makes a comeback in Asia Cup, one of the players will have to make way for him. Unless selectors want Rohit Sharma to open the innings with Ajinkya Rahane and not Shikhar Dhawan, the former will have to be dropped.

In the current set up, India cannot drop Hardik Pandya as they have just two pacers in the team and the all-rounder chips in with two to three overs per match. Rahane, despite being one of the most consistent performers across formats, for some reasons isn't Dhoni's favourite when it comes to limited-overs cricket.

The only way Rahane can remain in the team is if Dhawan, who has been very inconsistent, is dropped from the playing XI. Also, with two matches remaining in the ongoing three-match series, a lot will depend on how Dhawan and Rahane play in the remaining matches.

In the middle-order, India cannot afford to drop Yuvraj Singh or Suresh Raina, as they are not only good finishers, but also all-rounders who get crucial breakthroughs for the team every now and then.

Dropping Rahane would be a cruel move, and it remains to be seen what's Indian think tank's final verdict.