Star Vidarbha's wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma has been added to India's squad as Sanju Samson's replacement ahead of the second T20I against Sri Lanka on Thursday (January 5).
Earlier in the day, Samson, who suffered injury in the first T20I against the Islander on Tuesday, has been ruled out of the second match due to a knee injury. Samson hurt his knee while fielding in the series opener in Mumbai, which India managed to win by two runs.
“The All-India Senior Selection Committee has named Jitesh Sharma as replacement for Sanju Samson. Team India wicket-keeper 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,” BCCI said in a statement.
Meanwhile Jitesh will be a cover for Ishan Kishan for the next two games. He has been rewarded for his exceptional performance in the IPL 2022 for Punjab Kings. He has appeared in 12 IPL matches and scored 234 runs at a strike rate of 163.63. In fact, he cemented his place in the line-up as the wicketkeeper. He followed it up with a fine performance in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and deservedly, he has got his chance. After Umesh Yadav and Faiz Fazal, 29-year-old Sharma is now just the third player from Vidarbha to be chosen for Indian Cricket Team.
Sanju sustained the injury while attempting a dive catch in the first over of the Sri Lankan innings in Mumbai. However, he pouched the ball but he lost his balance after the catch and fell on the ground. It was learnt that he picked up swelling post which he sought medical advice.
Sanju finally got a chance in the first T20. But poor shot selection cost him his wicket. He had the stage set to enthral the Mumbai crowd but he failed.
The star batter once again failed to go big with the willow as he was dismissed after scoring a measly 5 off 6. However, after Deepak Hooda and Axar Patel steadied India's boat after early falter in the batting line up, and steered India to a respectable 162/5. Debutant Shivam Mavi rode on his dream debut and picked four wickets to bundle Sri Lanka to 160 despite Dasun Shanaka's fightback of 45 off 27.
