Team India endured a huge injury blow on the eve of second T20I against Sri Lanka, which is scheduled to be played in Pune, as star batter Sanju Samson has been ruled out of the remainder of the series due to a knee injury. The Indian think tank has added Vidarbha wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma to squad as his replacement.
Samson sustained the injury while fielding near the boundary ropes in the series opener at the Wankhede Stadium, which India won by two runs. The hosts are leading 1-0 in the three-match series.
“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 BCCI Medical Team and has been advised rest and rehabilitation,” read a BCCI statement in this regard.
Jitesh, who is joining the T20I squad of the Men In Blue, has been rewarded for his noteworthy performances for Punjab Kings in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
The 29-year-old has played 12 matches in the cash-rich league. Averaging 29.25, Jitesh amassed 234 runs in 12 IPL matches.
The wicketkeeper-batter has plied his trade with Central Zone, Vidarbha, Mumbai Indians (MI), and Punjab Kings in the domestic arena.
Pandya-led Team India will meet Dasun Shanaka’s Sri Lanka in the T20I series decider at Pune’s Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium on Thursday.
