India Squad SL Series: India vs SriLanka LIVE: India’s new year set to begin with some big changes. After a string of poor…
India Squad SL Series: India vs SriLanka LIVE: India’s new year set to begin with some big changes. After a string of poor shows in T20s, Rishabh Pant will make his way for Sanju Samson and Ishan Kishan. Although he will be ‘officially rested’ for the SriLanka T20 series, the idea is to try out others. The two in-form keeper-batters Sanu and Ishan will get a recall. InsideSport earlier reported that KL Rahul will also be dropped from the side. But once again, the official narrative is set to be ‘rested’. Follow IND vs SL LIVE Updates on InsideSport.IN.
“Rishabh has done well in Tests and he is not out of form. But yes he has not got many runs in T20s. He will be back in the ODI series. He is crucial for us in the Australia series. In T20s, we have quite a few options including Ishan and Sanju who are getting runs in domestic,” a BCCI official told InsideSport.
India Squad SL Series: After KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant to face AXE from T20 team for SriLanka series, Sanju Samson & Ishan Kishan to return in T20s, Follow IND vs SL LIVE Updates
Rishabh Pant’s untouchable stature has received a string of blows following lacklustre shows in T20s. He is no more invincible in T20s. While he is still the Number 1 in Test format by far, the same is not the case in T20s and ODIs. While he has tried to improve his strike rate in T20s, especially in T20s, he has had to compensate for that with his form.
Rishabh Pant in T20s in 2022:
- In 2022, Pant got the most opportunities, playing 25 T20s.
- While he maintained a strike rate of 132.84, he had a dip in scoring form.
- He was dismissed easily far too often on widish deliveries.
- In fact, he could only manage just 1 half-century in 21 innings.
- Among his two other rivals, Ishan Kishan had the most fifties with 3 in 16 innings.
- Sanju Samson played just 5 innings but still managed a half-century.
- He also struck at 158.4 strike rate, the best among the keepers and only 2nd best after Suryakumar Yadav.
| Battle for spots among wicketkeepers | ||||||
| Players | Matches | Innings | Runs | Strike Rate | Avg | 50/100 |
| Rishabh Pant | 25 | 21 | 364 | 132.84 | 21.41 | 1/0 |
| Ishan Kishan | 16 | 16 | 476 | 127.95 | 29.75 | 3/0 |
| Sanju Samson | 6 | 5 | 179 | 158.4 | 44.75 | 1/0 |
India Squad SL Series: After KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant to face AXE from T20 team for SriLanka series, Sanju Samson & Ishan Kishan to return in T20s, Follow IND vs SL LIVE Updates
With India looking at a revamp in T20 format, selectors have to try out others. With Rishabh Pant clearly not working out, India will look at Ishan Kishan and Sanju Samson. Ishan recently slammed the fastest double century in ODIs. Sanju has backed his claims with runs whenever he has got an opportunity.
I hope Sanju Samson is part of India squads for both T20I and ODI series against SL and NZ. And gets a consistent long run. #INDvSL #INDvNZ
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) December 26, 2022
While earlier selectors wanted Sanju to be consistent, all the Rajasthan Royals captain demands are consistent backing from them and the team management. Former India opener Wasim Jaffer too demanded the team management give him a longer run.
“I hope Sanju Samson is part of India squads for both T20I and ODI series against SL and NZ. And gets a consistent long run,” Jaffer said in a tweet.
IND vs SL: Why Jaffer thinks Samson should be given a longer run?
- Sanju Samson has been unlucky not to cement his place in Team India. Samson had looked promising with the limited opportunity presented to him.
- He was not picked for the T20 World Cup nor he toured with team India to Bangladesh tour.
- Samson is in good form in Ranji cricket having already scored three fifties.
- With Pant as well as KL Rahul struggling in the middle order in T20Is and ODIs, Samson’s attacking play might come in handy.
- With 17 ODIs to be played before the World Cup, Samson can be tried in the middle order or as a finisher.
As for team selection, the outgoing selection committee will announce the squads for SriLanka series by Tuesday. Hardik Pandya will lead with Rohit Sharma out injured.
“The old committee will select the Sri Lanka white ball squad. As of now, it doesn’t look like Rohit Sharma’s finger will heal enough before the T20Is and in that case, Hardik will lead the side. As far as KL Rahul is concerned, his T20I days seem to be numbered,” a BCCI source told PTI.
IND vs SL T20I & ODI series
- India vs Sri Lanka 1st T20I: January 3rd in Mumbai
- India vs Sri Lanka 2nd T20I: January 5th in Pune
- India vs Sri Lanka 3rd T20I: January 7th in Rajkot
- India vs Sri Lanka 1st ODI: January 10th in Guwahati
- India vs Sri Lanka 2nd ODI: January 12th in Kolkata
- India vs Sri Lanka 3rd ODI: January 15th in Thiruvananthapuram
India Squad SL Series: After KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant to face AXE from T20 team for SriLanka series, Sanju Samson & Ishan Kishan to return in T20s, Follow IND vs SL LIVE Updates
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