IND vs SL: Sanju Samson gets another opportunity as India rest Rishabh Pant for 3rd T20I vs Sri Lanka

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IND vs SL: Sanju Samson got another opportunity after Rishabh Pant was rested from the India playing eleven for the third and final T20I against Sri Lanka in Pallekele on Tuesday, July 30.

Samson wasn't named in India eleven for the first T20I, but got a chance in the second game after vice-captain Shubman Gill woke up on the matchday with a back spasm. However, the wicketkeeper-batter was dismissed for a first-ball duck after India were given a revised target of 78 in the rain-marred game.

After being asked to bat first in the third T20I, captain Suryakumar Yadav confirmed that India were resting Pant, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel and Arshdeep Singh to bring in Gill, Washington Sundar, Shivam Dube and Khaleel Ahmed. India have already taken a 2-0 unassailable 2-0 lead in the series.

Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka opted to bat first after the toss was delayed by over one hour due to a wet field following rain showers in Pallekele ahead of the match.

Chamindu Wickramasinghe was given a debut opportunity for Sri Lanka as Sri Lanka decided to drop Dasun Shanaka, who got out for golden ducks in the previous two matches of the series. He wasn't impressive with the ball either.

"Would've liked to chase as well with the weather around. Becomes difficult for the bowling team to control the ball later. We have 4 guys resting - Hardik, Axar, Rishabh and Arshdeep. We spoke about the brand of cricket we want to play and it's about topping it up every game and being the best version of ourselves," Suryakumar Yadav said at the toss.

India Playing XI in 3rd T20I vs Sri Lanka: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav(c), Sanju Samson(w), Shivam Dube, Riyan Parag, Rinku Singh, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohammed Siraj, Khaleel Ahmed

Sri Lanka Playing XI in 3rd T20I vs India: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis(w), Kusal Perera, Kamindu Mendis, Charith Asalanka(c), Chamindu Wickramasinghe, Wanindu Hasaranga, Ramesh Mendis, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana, Asitha Fernando