IND vs SL: Aakash Chopra picks Sanju Samson Replacement in India Playing XI for India vs Sri Lanka 2nd T20I. Check Details

India and Sri Lanka are currently locking horns in the three-match T20I series. The series currently stands at 1-0 with hosts in lead. The second game will be an opportunity for the both the teams to assert their authority and make series more interesting.

Sanju Samson ruled out of the T20I series against Sri Lanka; Jitesh Sharma named replacement

The second game of the series is slated to take place on Thursday (5th January). Team India has been jolted with a blow as Sanju Samson has been ruled out of the series due to knee injury.

Samson didn’t travel with the team to Pune for the second game as he was feeling some discomfort in his knee and stayed back in Mumbai for scans. He now has been advised to rest and rehabilitation by the medical team.

As Samson got ruled out of the series, BCCI named Vidarbha and Punjab Kings (PBKS) wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma to the squad. Samson, notably had a poor outing in the first game as he scored just 5 runs in 6 balls.

Aakash Chopra picks Sanju Samson Replacement in India Playing XI for India vs Sri Lanka 2nd T20I

With Sanju Samson being ruled out of the series, there are lot of speculations about who’ll replace him in the playing XI. With Rahul Tripathi and Ruturaj Gaikwad both on the bench, it’ll be headache for team management.

However, Aakash Chopra has named his replacement. He feels that with game being in Pune, India should give nod ahead to Gaikwad and make him bat at No.3 taking to his official Twitter account, he said:

“With Sanju’s unavailability, there’s a place for one batter. Ruturaj or Tripathi. The game is in Pune. Ruturaj is ahead of Tripathi in the pecking order too…but would that mean SKY pushed to 4? I can’t see Ruturaj at 4 tbh. Your thoughts?”

With Sanju’s unavailability, there’s a place for one batter. Ruturaj or Tripathi. The game is in Pune. Ruturaj is ahead of Tripathi in the pecking order too…but would that mean SKY pushed to 4? I can’t see Ruturaj at 4 tbh. Your thoughts? #AakashVani #IndvSL

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) January 5, 2023

It remains to be seen who will replace Samson in the team. India would look to close the series in the second game itself.