IND vs SL Live: Sanju Samson or Venkatesh Iyer to open with Rohit Sharma – India who is aiming for yet another clean sweep victory in the ongoing and the last T20I against Sri Lanka has made quite a few changes in their playing XI. With Ishan Kishan injured and ruled out of the game, the question arises as to who would open the batting partnership alongside skipper Rohit Sharma. Sri Lanka won the toss and has opted to bat first. Follow India vs Sri Lanka LIVE Updates with InsideSport.IN
It was later revealed that Sanju Samson would be pairing with Rohit Sharma in the last T20I game of the series. Chasing a target of 147 set by Sri Lanka, skipper Rohit Sharma was dismissed in the 2nd over of the game after scoring just 5 runs. Samson is currently batting with Shreyas Iyer as India aims for a clean sweep against the neighbouring island nation.
IND vs SL Live: No Ishan Kishan, who will open with Rohit Sharma? Venkatesh Iyer or Sanju Samson? – Follow Live Updates
With Kishan out, the opening choice for the men in blue becomes quite tricky. The two most preferred candidates for the opening choice alongside Rohit have been Sanju Samson and Venkatesh Iyer. Both Iyer and Samson didn’t feature with the bat on the first T20i match, however, Samson had his fair share with the bat in the second game. Coming to bat at No 4, Samson hit 39 runs off just 25 balls. Ventakesh Iyer on the other failed to get a chance to bat in the second game too.
Sanju Samson Batting stats in T20Is:
| Position | Inns | NO | 100s | 50s | 0s | HS | Runs | Avg | S/R |
| Opening | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 10 | 5 | 100 |
| 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 27 | 33 | 16.5 | 150 |
| 4 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 39 | 94 | 15.67 | 125.33 |
| 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 19 | 19 | 79.17 |
| Overall | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 39 | 156 | 14.18 | 119.08 |
Previously Sanju Samson has played just 2 games where he has opened the innings. His stats aren’t too impressive. He has scored 10 runs in these 2 innings and has a strike rate of 100.00. Predominantly known to be a middle-order batsman, the skipper of the Rajasthan Royals have rarely opened for his IPL franchise team.
Venkatesh Iyer Batting Position in T20Is:
| Position | Inns | NO | 100s | 50s | 0s | HS | Runs | Avg | S/R |
| 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12* | 12 | 109.09 | |
| 6 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 35* | 116 | 38.67 | 173.13 |
| Overall | 6 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 35* | 128 | 42.67 | 164.1 |
Venkatesh Iyer is yet to open a game in the shortest format of cricket. However, the fiery hitter might take the opportunity to perform well. Predominantly known as a top or middle-order batter, the young left-handed batter performed well against West Indies in the previous series. Moreover, a right-left-handed combination of Rohit-Iyer can prove to be an important set up as has been evident from the Rohit-Dhawan partnership over the years.
Both Sanju Samson and Venkatesh Iyer would be eager to take the opportunity of the innings for the nation and put up some splendid performances and thus ensuring their place in the squad.
IND vs SL Live: No Ishan Kishan, who will open with Rohit Sharma? Venkatesh Iyer or Sanju Samson? – Follow Live Updates.
Ishan Kishan was hospitalized after the 2nd match as he was hit on the head after getting hit by a bouncer. later Kishan was released from the hospital however he has been rendered unfit to be a part of the Indian playing lineup.
India (Playing XI): Rohit Sharma (c), Sanju Samson (w), Shreyas Iyer, Ravindra Jadeja, Venkatesh Iyer, Deepak Hooda, Harshal Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Avesh Khan
Sri Lanka (Playing XI): Pathum Nissanka, Danushka Gunathilaka, Charith Asalanka, Dinesh Chandimal(w), Janith Liyanage, Dasun Shanaka(c), Chamika Karunaratne, Dushmantha Chameera, Jeffrey Vandersay, Binura Fernando, Lahiru Kumara
IND vs SL Live: No Ishan Kishan, who will open with Rohit Sharma? Venkatesh Iyer or Sanju Samson? – Follow Live Updates
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