IND vs SL: Why Sanju Samson is playing in place of Shubman Gill in 2nd T20I against Sri Lanka

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IND vs SL: Sanju Samson got a place in the India playing eleven for the second T20I against Sri Lanka after Shubman Gill was ruled out due to a back spasm. Samson did not feature in the first T20I which India won by 43 runs on Saturday.

Vice-captain Shubman Gill scored 34 off 16 balls in the first game, but woke with a back spasm on Sunday morning. Rishabh Pant played ahead of Sanju Samson in the first T20I.

Samson was part of India's T20I squad for the Zimbabwe T20Is after the T20 World Cup 2024. He scored a crucial match-winning fifty in the fifth and final T20I there.

Samson is expected to open with Yashasvi Jaiswal in the match. The Kerala wicketkeeper-batter has opened four times in T20I cricket for India in the past.

"We will look to bowl first. There is a bit of weather around and the wicket played better in the second innings. There are always areas to improve even when you win a game, you keep learning and you keep improving. Gill misses out as he woke up with a neck spasm, Samson comes in," Suryakumar Yadav said after winning the toss and electing to bat first.

Sri Lanka captain Charith Asalanka also made a change by bringing in Ramesh Mendis for Dilshan Madhushanka. The hosts are looking for a win to keep the series alive.

India Playing 11 for 2nd T20I: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson, Suryakumar Yadav(c), Rishabh Pant(w), Hardik Pandya, Riyan Parag, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohammed Siraj

Sri Lanka Playing 11 for 2nd T20I: Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis(w), Kusal Perera, Kamindu Mendis, Charith Asalanka(c), Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Ramesh Mendis, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana, Asitha Fernando