The Board of Control for Cricket of India (BCCI) has released a 15-man squad for the T20 Tri-Nation series which will be played against neighbours Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Rohit Sharma, who led Team India in the T20I series against Sri Lanka in December, won the the three-match series 3-0 and recently took charge of the Men in Blue to win the decisive 3rd T20I and the three-match series 2-1 against South Africa has been rewarded with the role as captain to lead Team India in the Nidahas Trophy 2018 in Sri Lanka.
Team India opener Shikhar Dhawan will take the role as vice-captain whereas skipper Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni have been rested for the tournament.
MSK Prasad, Chairman of the All-India Senior Selection Committee told the BCCI that the board had taken the players' form into consideration to avoid any sort of injury in a continuous course as there has been hardly any break between tours for the players.
“We’ve kept in mind the workload and upcoming schedule while finalizing the team for Nidahas Trophy. The high-performance team has suggested that adequate rest should be given to our fast bowlers to help improve athletic performance, maximize rest and prevent injury.”
“Mr MS Dhoni was not available for selection as he had requested for rest,” he added.
Suresh Raina, who has made an immediate impact in the T20I series against South Africa, has been selected for the Nidahas Trophy 2018. Dinesh Karthik will replace MS Dhoni as the wicketkeeper since the former skipper requested to be rested for the tournament. Pacers Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah have been rested as well as the committee do not want to risk working the pacers too much after playing a continous number of series since last year.
Youngsters Washington Sundar and Mohammad Siraj have been included the 15-man squad as well which will feature two uncapped players, all-rounder Vijay Shankar and Deepak Hooda. The two players made it big in the Indian Premier League 2017 and the domestic tournaments which have earned them their maiden Team India call-up.
Former Delhi captain Rishabh Pant has been recalled to the team after his recent performances in the Ranji Trophy, Syed Mushtaq Ali trophy and the Vijay Hazare Trophy.
KL Rahul, Manish Pandey, Yuzvendra Chahal, Axar Patel and Jaydev Unadkat will feature as well in the Nidahas Trophy after their admirable performances in the T20I series against South Africa.
India Squad: Rohit Sharma (Capt), Shikhar Dhawan (vc), KL Rahul, Suresh Raina, Manish Pandey, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Deepak Hooda, Washington Sundar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Axar Patel, Vijay Shankar, Shardul Thakur, Jaydev Unadkat, Mohammad Siraj, Rishabh Pant (wk).
