The three-match T20I series between India and Sri Lanka began on Saturday (July 27) at Pallekele. The hosts won the toss and opted to bowl first against the reigning world champions.
The match marks the beginning of a new era for both teams. Both India and Sri Lanka have named new captains in the T20I and will begin their tenure with the ongoing series. Suryakumar Yadav replaced Rohit Sharma as India’s new T20I captain after the latter announced his retirement from the shortest format of the game.
Elsewhere, Charith Asalanka has been named Sri Lanka’s new T20I captain. Earlier this month, Wanindu Hasaranga stepped down from the role following Sri Lanka’s disastrous T20 World Cup campaign. The Islanders failed to advance past the group stages of the competition.
“We’re going to bowl first. It looks like a pretty good pitch and we want to see how it goes. We’re going to use a 6-5 (batsmen-pitchers) combination. I want to give each player a specific role and that’s why we’re going to use 5 bowlers. You can expect more wins and more consistency,” Asalanka said after winning the toss.
There is no place for Shivam Dube:
Talking about India’s playing XI, the new team management has thrown up a big surprise in the team combination. There was no place for all-rounder Shivam Dube and star batsman Sanju Samson in India’s playing XI for the series opener. All-rounder Dube had played in all eight matches that India played in the T20 World Cup last month, while Samson was part of the 15.
And even though he played several useful knocks during the competition, it seems that he will have to do more to earn the trust of the new team management. Instead of banking on the Mumbai all-rounder, the Indian team has decided to back Riyan Parag as the youngster gets another chance to impress in international cricket.
Below are some of the reactions to Shivam Dube and Sanju Samson not getting a place in India’s starting XI.
But Sanju Samson
There is no dube of Shivam
Washington Sundar (who is also batting well these days) is missingBut what, Gautam Gambhir included Riyan Parag in the playing XI before all these players.
Unrealistic politics and favoritism 🤡 image.twitter.com/EBfHCHhvpy
– Aufridi Chumtya (@ShuhidAufridi) July 27, 2024
Sanju made a fifty in the last T20, Pant scored a duck but still Pant plays and Sanju Samson sits. 24 balls 22 against Zim kept Riyan Parag in the team and 50 against Zim made Sanju lose his place. Wonderful #SLvIND image.twitter.com/6cAW3HN0oi
— 🇮🇳 ᵇʳᵘᵗᵘ (@Brutu24) July 27, 2024
Sanju Samson didn’t get a place in the starting XI, but Riyan Parag did. Hmm photo.twitter.com/dEUvd5WpX9
— Vishal (@SPORTYVISHAL) July 27, 2024
At this point, I agree that there is a lot of politics behind Sanju Samson. photo.twitter.com/7rX2R1t83Z
— Selfless⁴⁵ (@SelflessRohit) July 27, 2024
Rishabh Pant on his entire World Cup: 0 Half Centuries
Sanju Samson in last 2 games: 1 half-century
It’s sad how favoritism and professional sycophancy with a dash of sympathy can ruin someone’s career. image.twitter.com/5kHBUgqG74
— Chinmay Shah (@chinmayshah28) July 27, 2024
Rishabh Pant returns to the starting eleven ahead of Sanju Samson🤯 image.twitter.com/TX4USpQK46
– Dinda Academy (@academy_dinda) July 27, 2024
Riyan Parag plays over Shivam Dube in the middle order 🤯 photo.twitter.com/y5W9EUi08T
– Dinda Academy (@academy_dinda) July 27, 2024
Casting Riyan Parag instead of Sanju Samson and Shivam Dube 😭
Gambhir’s first mission 🤝🤡 image.twitter.com/hFmlKnZY7l
— Nicky (@iemnic) July 27, 2024
Apart from the father approach, can anyone give me a reason why Riyan Parag is given a chance before Shivam Dube or Sanju Samson?
Last time I thought one had a chance because his father was Stuart Binny. 😒
What Gambhir said and what is happening now.#SL vs IND— Abhishek Singh (@Shiv3627) July 27, 2024
Gautam Gambhir kicked out Jadeja and Ruturaj from the team and benched Shivam Dube, who beat us in the WT20 final, and yet people think he has no agenda.
— 😎Mukesh😎 (@itzMukeshVj) July 27, 2024
Playing XI:
India:
Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Suryakumar Yadav(c), Rishabh Pant(w), Riyan Parag, Hardik Pandya, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj
Sri Lanka:
Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis(w), Kusal Perera, Kamindu Mendis, Charith Asalanka(c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Dasun Shanaka, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka