Gambhir has been released by the Indian team while Dhawan, who has recovered from thumb fracture, will be eager to get back into action with his sights set on the ODI series in January.
"Gambhir and Dhawan will be opening the innings while Unmukt (Chand) will be batting at No 3. This is a do-or-die match for us. We need atleast two outright wins from our next three matches if we have to have any chance of qualifying for the knock-out phase. I am keeping my fingers crossed," chief coach KP Bhaskar told PTI today.
Asked about the paucity of spinners, Bhaskar said:"Varun and Manan are the best we have. We have an off-spinner Pulkit Narang, that we have kept in the 13 for the match. But he is still very inexperienced. Out of the squad of 15, we have kept Sarthak Ranjan and Dhruv Shorey out.