India are all set to play Sri Lanka for a three-match T20I series starting from February 24. With a few of their marquee players missing the games either with injury or due to break, Rohit Sharma is expected to include a few youngsters. A few players who were part of the playing XI against West Indies are expected to retain their places while a couple of old faces can be expected to make a comeback.
With both Ravindra Jadeja and Jasprit Bumrah back into the squad, they are expected to walk straight into the playing XI. Meanwhile, Sanju Samson is also set to play in the first T20I. Sources close to SportsTiger have confirmed that the wicketkeeper is all set to be included in the last XI with Suryakumar Yadav ruled out of the series.
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Captain Rohit Sharma also revealed that the Kerala batter is a part of the management’s plan for the upcoming T20 World Cup. In the pre-series press conference, Sharma heaped praise on the batter and backed him to succeed at the top level. “Sanju Samson has got talent – Whenever we have seen him bat he has produced an innings where people go over the moon. He has got the skill set to succeed – his backfoot game is brilliant – he is definitely in consideration,” said Rohit Sharma.
Bumrah, Jadeja return!
Two more players are also set to make a comeback to the XI. Pacer Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja both are all set to play the game after returning from breaks. While Jadeja was out due to rehabilitation, Bumrah was rested after the South Africa tour. The pacer will join the team in a new role, as the vice-captain of the team.
India’s Probable XI for 1st T20I: Rohit Sharma, Ishan Kishan (wk), Shreyas Iyer, Sanju Samson, Deepak Hooda, Venkatesh Iyer, Ravindra Jadeja, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Ravi Bishnoi, Harshal Patel, Jasprit Bumrah
