In an unprecedented step, the Indian team could hand as many as 5 debutants in a desperate move for the second T20. The situation like this arose due to the fact that 8 players are under isolation. All of them were identified as close contact to Krunal Pandya who was found COVID-19 positive yesterday.
Fortunately for the Indian team all the players except Krunal Pandya have been tested COVID negative in RT-PCR test. Still none of these players would be available to play the match. It is due to the precautions taken by both the boards and guidelines of Sri Lankan nation. Moreover they will stay in isolation for next few days to avoid further outbreak of the Virus.
The name of these players are Hardik Pandya, Surya Kumar Yadav, Prithvi Shaw, Deepak Chahar. It also includes Krishnappa Gowtham, Ishan Kishan and Yuzvendra Chahal with Krunal Pandya himself. Even the name of Shikhar Dhawan was propped up in the isolated players list. However later on it was proven to be a rumor. Hence the left hander will be available to lead the side.
5 possible debutants for India!
This abnormal incident leaves India with very little resources in the series. Fortunately BCCI had sent a group of 25 players to counter things like this. Now, it is coming in handy. All the net bowlers and reserve players have been added to the main squad of the Indian team.
The 5 net bowlers who are now a part of the Indian team for today’s match are Ishan Porel, Sandeep Warrier, Arshdeep Singh, Sai Kishore, Simarjeet Singh. Moreover both the Pandya brothers as well as Deepak Chahar are missing. Hence it is now almost confirmed that at least 2 players from the above 5 list of net bowlers will play to counter the shortage of bowlers.
In the batting department Devdutt Padikkal, Rituraj Gaikwad and Nitish Rana should make their debut in absence of Surya Kumar Yadav, Prithvi Shaw and Ishan Kishan. Meanwhile the under 19 star Ishan Porel and one between Sai Kishore and Arshdeep Singh could play their maiden T20 game.
The overall playing 11 for the India team could be as follows :
Shikhar Dhawan, Devdutt Padikkal, Rituraj Gaikwad, Sanju Samson, Manish Pandey, Nitish Rana, Rahul Chahar, Bhuvaneshwar Kumar, Ishan Porel, Chetan Sakariya and Kuldeep Yadav / Sai Kishore.
