Indian cricket team wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson has been ruled out of the remainder of the 3-match T20I series against Sri Lanka. Samson hurt his left knee while attempting to field a ball near the boundary ropes during the 1st T20I at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. "He was taken for scans and a specialist opinion this afternoon in Mumbai by the BCCI Medical Team and has been advised rest and rehabilitation," read a BCCI statement.
"The All-India Senior Selection Committee has named Jitesh Sharma as replacement for Sanju Samson."
The injury to Samson might provide an opportunity for Rahul Tripathi to make his debut. Consistent IPL performer Tripathi has travelled with the squad for a while but is yet to get a game. India lead the three-match series 1-0 following their narrow two-run win in the opener..
In the first T20I, Shivam Mavi made a dream debut with a relentless display of fast-bowling as his four-wicket haul made the difference in India's narrow two-run win over a spirited Sri Lanka in the first T20I in Mumbai on Tuesday. India batters found the Sri Lankan spinners hard to put away before Deepak Hooda (41*) and Axar Patel (31*) took the hosts to 162 for five. The Sri Lankans surely had the firepower to chase down 163 but Mavi's strikes at front and back end of the innings tilted the game in favour of the home team.
The game went down to the wire with spinner Axar Patel managing to defend 13 runs in the final over. Mavi ended with envious figures of four for 22 in four overs.
The fighting knocks from skipper Dasun Shanaka (45 off 27) and Chamika Karunaratne (23 not out off 16) went in vain as Sri Lanka ended 160 all out in 20 overs.
This is the lowest total India defend at this stadium.
With PTI inputs