Virat Kohli Suffers Injury Scare Ahead Of First Sri Lanka T20I

Indian skipper Virat Kohli suffered an injury scare on the eve of the first T20I against Sri Lanka as he was hit on his little finger during a fielding session. He did continue to take part in the session but there is no word on his fitness. It remains to be seen if he is fit for the first T20I.

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Since Rohit Sharma – Team India’s limited-overs vice-captain – is not a part of the squad, Shikhar Dhawan will lead Team India if Kohli sits out due to the finger issue. Dhawan was first named the vice-captain for the Nidahas Trophy in 2018. Later that year, he was again named Rohit’s deputy for Asia Cup 2018. Although he didn’t get a chance to lead Men in Blue.

Kohli’s absence will also mean that Manish Pandey might get a chance in the playing XI. The team management has stuck with the same  batting combination since the World Cup and the reserve batsmen haven’t got enough chances

The opening T20I is set to mark the comeback of Jasprit Bumrah to international cricket. The right-arm pacer hasn’t played any form of competitive cricket since August. He was to participate in the Test series against South Africa in October but sat out for three months due to stress fracture in his back.

Bumrah will lead the pace attack in all six white-ball matches that Team India plays at home before flying to New Zealand.

Apart from Bumrah, the Sri Lanka T20Is will also be a comeback series for Dhawan. He was a part of the series against West Indies but missed out on playing due to an injury which he suffered while playing for Delhi in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.

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KL Rahul did well in his absence and the form of the two openers in the three T20Is will decide which of these two will open the innings with Rohit in the Australia ODIs.

The first T20I of the series takes place in Guwahati on Sunday. Indore and Pune will host the next two T20Is on January 7 and 10, respectively.