Sanju Samson ruled out of T20I series against Sri Lanka, replacement announced
Sanju Samson (Image Credit: Twitter)
Being Sanju Samson isn’t easy. First of all, he doesn’t get enough opportunities to cement his place in the team. Not to forget, he missed out on the 20-20 World Cups in 2021 and 2022. Also, he got to play only one game on the tour of New Zealand last November. The right-hander got to play the first T20I against Sri Lanka. It looked like he will get to play all three games to showcase his skills.
However, after failing to grab his opportunity with the bat, the Keralite had a poor day on the field as well. Meanwhile, while trying to save a boundary, he stuck his knee in the field. With this, the wicketkeeper batter got injured and didn’t travel with the team from Mumbai to Pune. Now, Samson has been ruled out of the rest of the series.
Jitesh Sharma has replaced Sanju Samson
The Indian Cricket Board issued a statement over Samson’s injury and his replacement. They stated that the medical team has advised the 28-year-old needs to rest for the time being. He has been replaced by Jitesh Sharma, who played for Punjab last year in the Indian T20 League 2022.
“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.
“He was taken for scans and a specialist opinion this afternoon in Mumbai by the Indian Cricket Board Medical Team and has been advised rest and rehabilitation.
“The All-India Senior Selection Committee has named Jitesh Sharma as replacement for Sanju Samson,” the Indian Cricket Board said in a statement.
India updated squad: Hardik Pandya (c), Ishan Kishan (wk), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav (VC), Deepak Hooda, Rahul Tripathi, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Washington Sundar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Harshal Patel, Umran Malik, Shivam Mavi, Mukesh Kumar.
