India announce squad for T20I series vs Sri Lanka, Jasprit Bumrah to be Rohit Sharma's deputy

India vs Sri Lanka: Rohit Sharma will lead India in the three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka. The BCCI announced an 18-member squad for the T20I series.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Saturday, February 19 announced an 18-member India squad for the T20I series against Sri Lanka at home. Chairperson of the national selection committee, former Indian cricketer Sharma, chaired a virtual press conference to announce the T20I squad of the Rohit Sharma-led Team India side.

Speaking at the press conference on Saturday, Sharma confirmed that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has rested Kohli and Pant for the upcoming T20I series between Sri Lanka and hosts India.

Sharma confirmed that Jasprit Bumrah would be Rohit's deputy in the Sri Lanka series. For the T20I series, Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant have been rested, with Ravindra Jadeja returning to the T20I setup. There is also a recall for Sanju Samson, who could also get a look in with Kohli, Rahul and Pant missing.

BCCI announced a revised schedule for India’s upcoming series against Sri Lanka. Instead of Tests, the series will start with T20 matches. The scheduling and venues have also undergone changes. The first T20 will be played in Lucknow, which was originally scheduled to host the third and final T20.

Dharamshala will host the second and third T20s while Mohali, earlier also slotted for T20, will host just one Test match. Bengaluru will be hosting the second and final Test match, a day-night affair.

India's squad for the T20I series: Rohit (C), Ruturaj, Ishan (WK), Surya, Shreyas Iyer, Venkatesh, Deepak Chahar, Bumrah (VC), Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Deepak Chahar, Harshal, Siraj, Samson (WK), Ravi Jadeja, Chahal, Bishnoi, Kuldeep, Avesh.