The team that has been announced consists of several changes from the team that was selected for the recently concluded T20 series against Australia in which India clean swept Aussies by 3-0.
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India’s Virat Kohli has been rewarded for his stunning form in the KFC INTL series against Australia, claiming top spot in the International Cricket Council’s latest T20 batting rankings.
Taking his place in the side for the short series is Negi, a rookie all-rounder Negi, who has played under Mahendra Singh Dhoni for the Chennai Super Kings in IPL.
The selection panel chose to drop Rishi Dhawan, Gurkeerat Mann and Umesh Yadav from the squad.
India have opted to rest star batsman Virat Kohli ahead of the World Twenty20.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar returns after missing the Australia series with a fractured thumb, while Manish Pandey – who made a century in the fifth ODI against Australia – also returns to the T20 fold. He is an important asset to the team for the upcoming major tournaments. The Delhi-based player is a left arm spinner who usually bats lower down the order. He would be looking to make the most out of his first call.
India plays Sri Lanka in three T20s starting from the 9th of February.
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The women’s team that will play three ODIs and three T20 matches against Sri Lanka at Ranchi from February 15 to 26 has also been named. Delhi were named the hosts for the second fixture but that game will now be played in Ranchi on the 12th of Feb after administrative trouble at the DDCA forced BCCI to make the switch.
