Revealed: Why is Shubman Gill not playing today's match against Sri Lanka and who has replaced him?
Published - 28 Jul 2024, 07:38 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 01:16 AM
The 24-year-old India National Cricket Team opening batsman Shubman Gill was not part of the playing XI of his side in the second T20I of the three-match series against the Charith Asalanka-led Sri Lanka National Cricket Team at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Pallekele on Sunday, July 28.
Shubman Gill has been having a great time in his cricket career as he was recently promoted as the vice-captain of the Indian team in white-ball formats. Gill replaced Hardik Pandya in the role as the Indian selectors felt that the star all-rounder had fitness issues and was not the right person for the job.
Gill's elevation in the role came after he led a young India National Cricket Team to a 4-1 series win over the Zimbabwe National Cricket Team earlier in the month. Notably, under his leadership, India lost the series opener, but after that, they made a stunning comeback and hammered the Chevrons comprehensively in the next four matches.
With his elevation to the vice-captaincy role, Shubman Gill has also become a permanent member of the playing XI in T20Is. In his first match as full-time vice-captain of the team, the opening batsman displayed a sensational performance against Sri Lanka.
There have always been question marks over Shubman Gill's strike rate in T20s, but the youngster made sure to shut his critics with his performance against the Lankan Lions on July 27. Opening the innings with Yashasvi Jaiswal, Gill slammed 34 runs off 16 balls and his innings consisted of 6 fours and 1 six. He was involved in a 74-run partnership with Jaiswal that laid a platform for India's big total of 213/7.
Suryakumar Yadav Reveals Why Shubman Gill Missed Out On Selection In The 2nd T20I vs Sri Lanka
Despite his great performance in the first T20I, Shubman Gill was not part of the Indian playing XI in the second T20I. At the toss, captain Suryakumar Yadav revealed the reason behind his absence.
The Indian T20I captain revealed that Gill was unavailable for the match as he woke up with a neck spasm. Suryakumar Yadav also stated that Sanju Samson will be replacing Gill in the line-up. Notably, many fans and experts have been rooting for Sanju Samson to become the starter in the Indian XI under the new regime of Gautam Gambhir and Suryakumar Yadav.
"We will look to bowl first. There is a bit of weather around and the wicket played better in the second innings. There are always areas to improve. Even when you win a game, you keep learning, and you keep improving. Gill misses out as he woke up with a neck spasm, Samson comes in," Suryakumar Yadav said at the toss.
Talking further about Shubman Gill, the opening batsman has smashed 539 runs in 20 T20I matches at an average of 29.94 and a strike rate of 142.59. He has also hit three fifties and one century in T20Is.
Here are the playing XIs for the second IND vs SL T20I:
Sri Lanka (Playing XI): Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis(w), Kusal Perera, Kamindu Mendis, Charith Asalanka(c), Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Ramesh Mendis, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana, Asitha Fernando
India (Playing XI): Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson, Suryakumar Yadav(c), Rishabh Pant(w), Hardik Pandya, Riyan Parag, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohammed Siraj
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