The wicketkeeper-batsman Sanju Samson will not play in the remaining two games of the T20I series against Sri Lanka due to knee injury.
Samson hurt his left knee during the first T20I at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium while attempting to field a ball close to the boundary ropes. According to a BCCI statement, “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,”
“The All-India Senior Selection Committee has named Jitesh Sharma as replacement for Sanju Samson.”
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Sanju Samson injury
The wicketkeeper-batter stayed behind in Mumbai for scans and a specialist’s opinion, and was recommended to rest and undergo rehabilitation rather than travelling to Pune with the Indian team.
The incident occurred on Wednesday at the Wankhede in Mumbai as he attempted a diving catch during the opening over of the Sri Lankan chase. He caught the ball, but after tumbling to the ground, he was unable to hold onto it. He continued to field during the game, but afterwards he had swelling, which prompted a request that he seek medical treatment.
Sanju Samson’s performance in 1st T20I against Sri Lanka
Samson just faced five balls when he went for a slog and mistimed his drive off Dhananjaya de Silva, and caught after scoring five runs. The fact that Samson received given a lifeline on the previous delivery when the fielder missed a chance in the deep makes the dismissal all the more painful.
Samson’s injury may give Rahul Tripathi the chance to make his professional debut. While travelling with the team for some time, IPL veteran Tripathi is yet to play. Following their tight two-run victory in the series’ opening game, India now holds a 1-0 lead.
Shivam Mavi made a spectacular start in the first T20I, and his four-wicket haul in the game’s decisive two-run victory over Sri Lanka on Tuesday in Mumbai was the result of his relentless fast-bowling showing.
Indian batters had a difficult time getting the Sri Lankan spinners out of the game before Deepak Hooda (41*) and Axar Patel (31*) led the visitors to 162 for five.
The Sri Lankans undoubtedly possessed the strength to chase down 163, but Mavi’s wickets at the start and finish of the innings turned the tide in their favour.
Axar Patel, was successful in containing 13 runs in the final over as the game came down to the wire. With four for 22 in four overs, Mavi finished with fantastic 4 for 22 stats.
The brave innings by Chamika Karunaratne (23 not out off 16) and captain Dasun Shanaka (45 off 27) were in fruitless as Sri Lanka failed to reach the target and lost the game by 2 runs.
