Indian Wicketkeeper-batsman Sanju Samson is not playing the first ODI against Sri Lanka on Sunday due to a knee ligament injury that he suffered during a training session. He could be ruled out of the entire white-ball series. 

“Sanju Samson sprained a ligament in his knee and was hence not available for selection for this game. The medical team is tracking his progress at the moment,” BCCI’s media team informed, PTI reported. 

The Sri Lanka series comprises three ODIs and three T20 Internationals. The Indian team is being led by Shikhar Dhawan with Rahul Dravid as head coach.

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Sanju Samson was geared up for the series and was also excited to work with Rahul Dravid. 

“Each and every individual in the India A side or the juniors going into the Indian team have been fortunate to go through a person called Rahul Dravid. We are very lucky to learn our cricket from him,” Samson jad said on Star Sports’ Show ‘Follow the Blues’.  

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka won the toss and opted to bat first. At the toss, Dhawan said India were looking to bat too. 

“We were also looking to bat first as dew factor will come into play. Shaw will open along with me. Kishan and Suryakumar will make their debuts. Kuldeep and Chahal are the two spinners playing for us,” Dhawan, who will be leading India for the first time, said.  Left-handed keeper-batsman Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav made their ODI debut.

India XI: Shikhar Dhawan(capt), Prithvi Shaw, Ishan Kishan(wk), Manish Pandey, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya, Deepak Chahar, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav

Sri Lanka XI: Avishka Fernando, Minod Bhanuka(wk), Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka(capt), Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Isuru Udana, Dushmantha Chameera, Lakshan Sandakan