Agencies, Mumbai
The BCCI on Sunday announcing the 15-member Indian squad for the upcoming Tri-nations T20 series beginning in Colombo from March 6 said that skipper Virat Kohli and M S Dhoni have been rested while, Rohit Sharma will lead the charge.
Shikhar Dhawan has been named vice-captain. The team has been picked keeping in mind the workload and upcoming schedule the All-India Senior Selection Committee led by chairman MSK Prasad said.
The T20I tournament also features Bangladesh as the third team. All matches will be held at R Premadasa Stadium.The All-India Senior Selection Committee said that bowlers Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, all-rounder Hardik Pandya and wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav have also been rested.
Beginning from March 6-18, the Tri-Nation T20 series wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant, all-rounder Vijay Shankar, Washington Sundar, batsman Deepak Hooda and pacer Mohammad Siraj have been inducted in the team. Suresh Raina who was part of T20 series against South Africa has been included in the 15-member squad for the Tri-Nation T0 series in Colombo.
MSK Prasad, Chairman, All-India Senior Selection Committee, said: “We’ve kept in mind the workload and upcoming schedule while finalising 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, maximise rest and prevent injury.”
“MS Dhoni was not available for selection as he had requested for rest,” he added.The three teams will play two matches against each other and top two teams will go for the finals on March 18.
Squad: Rohit Sharma (Captain), Shikhar Dhawan (vice-captain), 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).
