IND vs SL: Indian Squads For T20I & Tests Announced; Rohit Named Test Captain While Rahane & Pujara Miss Out

On February 19th (Saturday), Indian chief selector Chetan Sharma announced the T20I and Test squad for the upcoming home series against Sri Lanka. The biggest highlight remained Rohit Sharma, who has been made the Test captain after getting the limited-overs captaincy. 

After Virat Kohli gave up T20I captaincy, was removed from ODI captaincy and then gave up Test captaincy, the position was vacant and waiting to be filled. KL Rahul captained India in the absence of Rohit Sharma in South Africa. Now, Rohit Sharma has been announced as the test skipper. 

While talking about other notable aspects, Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant have been rested for the 3rd T20I against West Indies and in the T20I series against Sri Lanka but will be part of the test squad. Shardul Thakur has also been rested for the entire Sri Lanka series but will be available for selection in the 3rd T20I against West Indies. 

With Rishabh Pant rested, Sanju Samson has come into the scheme of things like the backup wicketkeeper-batter, with Ishan Kishan expected to be the first-choice keeper-batter for the team. Ravindra Jadeja, who was out of the cricketing circuit for quite some time now and has been named in both the squad against Sri Lanka, in fact, Chetan Sharma claims Ravindra Jadeja is completely fit. 

Talking about the test squads, Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara have been left out of the Test squad after a rather long rough patch in their form. However, Chetan Sharma clarified that this is because the batters need to get back in rhythm in the Ranji Trophy. 

Another interesting aspect is Kuldeep Yadav, the wrist spinner has been named in the test squad along with Jayant Yadav. KS Bharat is also a part of the Test squad while R Ashwin's inclusion is subject to his fitness. 

Talking about fitness, Chetan cleared that Washington Sundar & KL Rahul are injured and are ruled out of the Sri Lanka series as of now, and can make their way if they recover well. While Axar Patel is still recovering from his injury, is in rehab and is expected to make his way back to the playing XI in the 2nd test against Sri Lanka.

Indian Team for T20Is against Sri Lanka:

Rohit Sharma (captain), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ishan Kishan (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Shreyas Iyer, Deepak Hooda, Jasprit Bumrah (vice-captain), Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Deepak Chahar, Harshal Patel, Mohammad Siraj, Sanju Samson (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Yuzvendra Chahal, Ravi Bishnoi, Kuldeep Yadav, Avesh Khan

Indian Team for Tests against Sri Lanka:

Rohit Sharma (captain), Mayank Agarwal, Priyank Panchal, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Hanuma Vihari, Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, KS Bharat, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Jayant Yadav, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah (vice-captain), Mohammad Shami, Mohammad Siraj, Umesh Yadav, Saurabh Kumar