Lucknow: Coming off a 3-0 series win over West Indies, the in-form India will look to carry their momentum against Sri Lanka in the first T20I at the Ekana Cricket Stadium here on Thursday.
The absence of Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, Suryakumar Yadav and Deepak Chahar will give the management a chance to experiment with Ishan Kishan, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Sanju Samson.
While Kohli and Pant are rested, Suryakumar and Chahar are injured.
Shreyas Iyer will also get some game time as there is no Kohli in the top-order. Iyer could use this opportunity to make his case stronger for the T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia, although Kohli will eventually reclaim his spot after returning from a break.
Sanju Samson, who is also drafted in the squad, could get a chance to showcase his skills.
On the eve of first game, skipper Rohit Sharma heaped praise on Samson, saying, "He has got talent. Whenever you see him bat in the IPL, he has produced that innings where everyone goes over the moon watching that innings. He has got the skillset to succeed. That is the whole point about the sport, a lot of people have skill and talent, how you utilise it is the most critical part. It is now up to Sanju Samson how he wants to use that talent and maximise it because as team management, we see a lot of potential and a lot of talent in that individual."
"I hope we give him that confidence whenever he gets an opportunity. He is definitely into consideration and that is why he is part of the team. His backfoot play is superb. When you go to Australia, you need that shot-making ability, Samson has it in him. I just hope he utilises his potential," Rohit said.
Fast bowler and vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah and all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja have returned to the team to further strengthen the Indian bowling unit along with Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Siraj, newcomer Ravi Bishnoi, who was impressive against West Indies, and Yuzvendra Chahal.
On the other hand, Sri Lanka will miss the services of all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga, who has tested positive for Covid-19 for a second time. The island nation suffered a 1-4 defeat at the hands of Australia after being let down by their batting unit multiple times. Skipper Dasun Shanaka is, however, hopeful that Sri Lankan top-order will fire in the three-match series.
"We are expecting our top-order to fire which will give our bowlers a chance to defend. Whenever the top order is among the runs we have a better chance of winning. The youngsters have been in the system for a while, they have played LPL and performed in domestic cricket," said Shanaka.
India squad: Rohit Sharma (c), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shreyas Iyer, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan (wk), Venkatesh Iyer, Deepak Hooda, Ravindra Jadeja, Yuzvendra Chahal, Ravi Bishnoi, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohd. Siraj, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Harshal Patel, Jasprit Bumrah (vc), Avesh Khan.
Sri Lanka squad: Dasun Shanaka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Charith Asalanka, Dinesh Chandimal, Danushka Gunathilaka, Kamil Mishara, Janith Liyanage, Chamika Karunaratne, Dushmantha Chameera, Lahiru Kumara, Binura Fernando, Shiran Fernando, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Praveen Jayawickrama, Ashian Daniel. (UNI)
