For Team India, it's all about fitting the pieces together in a World Cup year as T20I series against Lanka begins today
Since the time Rohit Sharma has taken over the reins of the Indian limited-overs teams, he has enjoyed a 100% record. Three series sweeps (2 in T20Is, 1 in ODIs), constituting a nine-match winning streak, has ensured the 'Rohit era' has truly begun with a bang. India meted out identical a 3-0 series thrashing to both New Zealand and West Indies in the T20s, besides beating the Caribbean boys 3-0 in the ODIs too.
Up next are Sri Lanka in another three-match T20I series, with the first game at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Thursday. The series will give Rohit another opportunity to put together the pieces of the jigsaw ahead of the T20 World Cup that's going to be held in Australia later this year. The motive should be to give enough game time to the probables who have been earmarked for the World Cup.
"We have one eye on the World Cup, but that doesn't take away our focus on the present," Rohit said on Wednesday. That means more chances for the likes of Ishan Kishan, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sanju Samson, Shreyas Iyer, Venkatesh Iyer, Harshal Patel, Ravi Bishnoi and Avesh Khan - especially with established players like Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant being given a break.
Rohit was particularly excited for Sanju Samson, whose back-foot game has impressed the skipper.
"Samson definitely has it in him (to succeed at the international level)," Rohit said. "His back-foot play is superb. Some of the shots you might have seen in the IPL, the pickup pull, the cut shots, standing and delivering over the bowler's head. Those kinds of shots are not easy to play. And I believe when you go to
Australia, you need that kind of shot-making ability. I just wish him the best and hope that he utilises his potential to the maximum."
It will also be interesting to see who partners Rohit at the top - whether it is Ishan Kishan, who opened in all three T20Is versus West Indies, or Ruturaj Gaikwad, who made his international debut in the final T20I against the Windies.
With Kohli not there, Shreyas Iyer will be given opportunities at the pivotal No. 3 spot to stake his claim for the T20 World Cup. The skills of Venkatesh Iyer will also be a talking point. With uncertainty shrouding Hardik Pandya, Venkatesh has grabbed his chances and shown the management his ability to finish off matches. If he improves his bowling skills, India will have a world-class allrounder.
Spinner Ravi Bishnoi was impressive against West Indies, and how he holds up against the Lankans is going to be something to note.
SURYAKUMAR JOINS INJURY LIST
The in-form duo of Suryakumar Yadav and Deepak Chahar will miss the T20I series due to injuries. The BCCI stated in a release that the two picked up on-field injuries during the third T20I against West Indies.
Chahar sustained a right quadriceps injury during bowling, while Surya suffered a hairline fracture during a fielding attempt.
They will now head to the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru for further management of their respective injuries.
On the Sri Lankan side, star leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga was ruled out of the series after he returned another positive Covid-19 test on Tuesday. Hasaranga is currently in isolation in Melbourne and will only be allowed to leave the country once he is negative.
"Losing Wanindu for the series will surely be a weakness for us. Still, our squad is strong enough," Lankan skipper Dasun Shanaka said.
