Indian wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson is a doubtful starter for the team’s second T20I game against Sri Lanka in Pune on Thursday (January 5), Cricbuzz reported.

According to the report, Samson hasn’t travelled with the squad to Pune as he has a niggle on his knee. He has stayed back in Mumbai after the opening T20I and awaits the results of scans he underwent.

Samson is said to have hurt his knee while attempting a diving catch in the first over of the Sri Lankan chase at the Wankhede Stadium on Wednesday (January 4).

Although Samson continued fielding in the match, the report suggests that he later experienced swelling because of which he was asked to take medical advice.

“Sources have indicated that the participation of Samson in the game is doubtful. A lot will depend on the medical team's assessment of the scans. Samson too had not reached Pune by Wednesday evening,” the Cricbuzz report stated.

Talking about the first T20I, India won the thrilling contest by two runs to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

Opting to bat first, the hosts posted 162/5 on the board with key contributions from Deepak Hooda (41* off 23 balls), Akshar Patel (31* off 20 balls), and Ishan Kishan (37 off 29 balls).

In reply, Sri Lanka’s innings folded for 160 in 20 overs. The match went down to the wire and India managed to defend 13 runs in the final over. Shivam Mavi starred with the ball, claiming four wickets by conceding 22 runs in his four overs.

(With Cricbuzz Inputs)