BCCI announces squad for three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the Indian squad for the home series against Sri Lanka. Vice-captain Virat Kohli who struck three back to back half-centuries against Australia, has been rested for the series.

Selectors have included Manish Pandey in place of Virat Kohli. Pandey was a part of the ODI Indian team during the recent tour of Australia but was did not feature in the T20 team. The right-hander showcased his match-winning abilities when he slammed his maiden international hundred in the final ODI at the Sydney Cricket Ground. On the other hand, left-arm spinner Pawan Negi, who has been impressive for the Chennai Super King in the last few seasons, has also received his maiden international call-up.

Ajinkya Rahane, who missed the T20 series in Australia after sustaining an injury, has been named in the side. Fast bowlers Umesh Yadav and Ishant Sharma have been dropped from the squad.

Apart from these changes, the T20 squad is similar to the one which recently toured the Down Under.

India plays Sri Lanka in three T20s starting from the 9th of February. The opener will be played at the MCA International Stadium in Pune on Tuesday. Delhi were named as the hosts for the second fixture but that game will now be played in Ranchi on the 12th of Feb. The third T20 will be played on the 14th at the VDCA Stadium in Visakhapatnam.

India T20I squad: MS Dhoni (Captain), Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Ajinkya Rahane, Manish Pandey, Suresh Raina, Yuvraj Singh, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, Ashish Nehra, Harbhajan Singh, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Pawan Negi.