IND vs SL: Sanju Samson ruled out of T20I series, Jitesh Sharma added to squad

The Kerala-based cricketer Sanju Samson was ruled out of the remaining two matches against Sri Lanka as he got hurt on his left knee during the first game against the visitors.

Hardik Pandya-led Indian team went one on one against Sri Lanka at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on 3rd January, Tuesday. Having a look at the game, Dasun Shanaka, the captain of the visiting side won the toss and invited the hosts to bat.

Batting first, India posted a competitive total of 162 runs on the board. Ishan Kishan gave a good start to the innings and scored 37 runs before returning to the dressing room.

With the other batters flopping in the middle, Deepak Hooda and Axar Patel took the responsibility in the end as they remained unbeaten on 41 and 31 runs respectively.

Chasing the target, Sri Lanka didn't get the expected start as they lost two of their three top-order batters for cheap scores. After Kusal Mendis' 28, skipper Dasun Shanaka played a crucial knock of 45 runs from 27 balls and got stuck into the spell of the Indian pacer Umran Malik.

Jitesh Sharma called up in place of Sanju Samson:

Wanindu Hasaranga and Chamika Karunaratne tried their best but failed to get their side over the victory line. In the end, Hardik Pandya and his men defeated the Sri Lankan side by a margin of 2 runs.

After defeating the visitors in a close encounter, Deepak Hooda was named Player of the Match for his unbeaten 41 runs off 23 balls with the help of a boundary and four sixes.

Besides, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) officially announced that Sanju Samson will not play the rest of the games against Sri Lanka and also stated that they added Jitesh Sharma as a replacement for the injured cricketer.

"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. The All-India Senior Selection Committee has named Jitesh Sharma as replacement for Sanju Samson," a BCCI release stated.