India is no stranger to player shortage concerns, having been forced into handing several debuts in the epoch-making Australian series last year. A similar script has unfolded in the ongoing series against Sri Lanka, with as many as eight personnel drifting into isolation on account of close contact with Krunal Pandya, who tested positive for coronavirus and was sidelined from the rest of the squad. They were left with only 11 players, and hence, were bereft of the privilege of picking and choosing their best men.
Pitchforked into the eleven were Devdutt Padikkal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Chetan Sakariya and Nitish Rana, all of whom will be registering their first appearances in T20I cricket. India only have five recognized batsmen in the ranks, with Bhuvneshwar Kumar poised to bat at number six.
🎥Big moment for the 4⃣! 👏 👏
T20I caps handed over to @devdpd07, @Ruutu1331, @NitishRana_27 & @Sakariya55! 👍 👍 #TeamIndia #SLvIND
Follow the match 👉 https://t.co/Hsbf9yWCCh pic.twitter.com/E4OzrlG4Sx
— BCCI (@BCCI) July 28, 2021
