Sandeep Warrier cricket T20 record: Why is Navdeep Saini not playing today’s 3rd T20I between Sri Lanka and India in Colombo?

Sandeep Warrier: India have handed international debut to yet another player on this tour of Sri Lanka at the R Premdasa Stadium.

During the third T20I of the ongoing India’s tour of Sri Lanka in Colombo, India captain Shikhar Dhawan has won the toss and chose to bat in the last match of this tour.

“We are gonna bat first. Our bowling is quite strong. We are just focusing on today’s game, we are not going to take any pressure from the past,” Dhawan was quoted as saying at the toss.

Sri Lanka, who are very much in the series after winning the second T20I last night, would be hoping to emulate their performance from yesterday to end their series-winning drought.

“We are happy to bowl first. Winning is very important, it’ll be very nice. Isuru Udana is out injured, Pathum Nissanka comes in,” Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka said at the toss.

Who is Sandeep Warrier?

Coming on the back of making seven changes to their Playing XI on Wednesday, India have had to make another one today. Hence, Tamil Nadu and Kolkata Knight Riders fast bowler Sandeep Warrier will be playing his first international match at the R Premdasa Stadium tonight.

In 54 T20s till date, 30-year old Warrier has dismissed 53 wickets at an average of 26.54, an economy rate of 7.29 and a strike rate of 21.80. Having played only four IPL matches across three seasons for KKR, Warrier’s two wickets have come at an economy and strike rate of 59.50 and 45 respectively.

It is worth mentioning that Warrier has replace fast bowler Navdeep Saini in the Playing XI. Saini, who wasn’t required to bowl yesterday, ended up injuring his shoulder during an unsuccessful attempt of completing a catch at cover.