India's star opener Ishan Kishan has been ruled out of third and final T20I against Sri Lanka after being struck on the head while batting in the second match on Saturday (February 26). However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said that Ishan's CT scan reports are 'normal' but its medical team will continue to closely monitor his signs of concussion.
"Ishan is ruled out of the third and final T20I against Sri Lanka," BCCI secretary Jay Shah said in a statement.
"Team India wicket-keeper Ishan Kishan was struck on the head while batting in 2nd T2OI at Dharamsala on Saturday. Accompanied by a Team Doctor, he was taken to a local hospital last night for a check-up where a CT scan was conducted. The findings of the CT scan are normal." The BCCI also said that its medical team will continue to "closely monitor his signs of concussion".
Kishan, who made 16 from 15 deliveries on Saturday, was hit on the head by Lahiru Kumara in the fourth over during India's run chase.
The wicketkeeper-batter had removed his helmet immediately after the blow before India's medical team ran to the field for the concussion test.
"Ishan Kishan was admitted to Fortis Hospital for brain scan after being hit on the head by Lahiru Kumara bouncer," a BCCI source had said.
"He stayed overnight at the hospital as a precautionary measure," the source added. Now, either Mayank Agarwal or Venkatesh Iyer could open the batting alongside skipper Rohit Sharma.
Batters Ruturaj Gaikwad and Suryakumar Yadav, and pacer Deepak Chahar are already out of the series with injuries.
India already have clinched the three-match T20I series, having won the first and second game by seven wickets and 62 runs respectively.
On Saturday, India registered a 7-wicket victory against Sri Lanka to seal yet another series victory under Rohit Sharma's captaincy. Shreyas Iyer (74 not out off 44) was key for India as Sanju Samson (39 off 25) and Ravindra Jadeja (45 not out off 18) shined with the bat as India chased down a 184-run target with 17 balls to spare. Earlier, Sri Lanka struck early blows on India as Dushmantha Chameera dismissed Rohit Sharma on 1. Ishan Kishan (16) also fell in the powerplay. However, Shreyas and Samson forged an 84-run target to bring India back in the game before Ravindra Jadeja's fiery knock ensured India's victory. Jadeja also topped his batting with a wicket while bowling as Yuzvendra Chahal, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah and Harshal Patel also snared a wicket each for India. With this win, India secured a third-successive series victory since Rohit Sharma was named the full-time captain in November. India will eye another clean sweep win under Rohit when the side takes on Sri Lanka in the third and final T20I in Dharamsala.
