Sri Lanka opts to bowl in first T20 against new-look India

Tue, Jan 3, 2023
Soccer News (AP)

MUMBAI, India (AP) - Sri Lanka won the toss and opted to bowl in the first T20 against India on Tuesday.

India has put out a new-look T20 squad for the first game of the three-match series after a disappointing semifinal loss in the 2022 World Cup.

Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Lokesh Rahul were among the players left out, with Hardik Pandya named India's new T20 captain and Suryakumar Yadav installed as the vice-captain.

The new-look squad also comprises IPL stars such as Ishan Kishan, Sanju Samson and Arshdeep Singh as the team looks to build towards the 2024 T20 World Cup.

Wicketkeeper batsman Rishabh Pant is ruled out for at least six months owing to major injuries sustained in a car accident in December. Kishan will keep wickets, while Samson is also available.

Batter Shubman Gill and fast bowler Shivam Mavi make their debuts for India.

Sri Lanka has put out a side consistent with its T20 performances in 2022, which saw it lift the Asia Cup.

Dew is expected to play a factor in the game and aid the chasing side. The pitch at Wankhede Stadium usually puts up a high-scoring encounter.

___

Teams:

India: Ishan Kishan, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav, Sanju Samson, Hardik Pandya (captain), Deepak Hooda, Axar Patel, Harshal Patel, Shivam Mavi, Umran Malik, Yuzvendra Chahal.

Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dasun Shanaka (captain), Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Kasun Rajitha, Dilshan Madushanka.

___

More AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports