SL vs IND: Sandeep Warrier gets emotional after getting his debut cap ahead of 3rd T20I

The third and deciding T20I between Sri Lanka and India is currently in progress in Colombo. It has been a tough series for the visitors especially after the opening T20I as all-rounder Krunal Pandya tested positive for COVID-19. This led to seven of his close contacts also getting ruled out of the rest of the series due to the regulations despite testing negative for the virus.

Due to all these problems, the visitors were left with only five specialist batsmen in their playing XI and six bowlers. To make things worse, Navdeep Saini also sustained a shoulder injury while fielding in the second T20I. He went for a catch which was head height and fell awkwardly on his shoulder only to walk off the field and that ruled him out of the decider.

This paved the way for yet another debut in the Indian camp ahead of the third T20I. Pace bowler Sandeep Warrier was handed his international debut. He was picked for the Sri Lanka tour as one of the net bowlers but was added to the squad along with four other members before the second T20I after 8 players were ruled out.

The debut cap ceremony took place before the match as one of India’s support staff members handed it to him and the teammates congratulated Warrier for the same. It was certainly an emotional moment for the 30-year-old who had tears of joy in his eyes even as the Indian players hugged him. BCCI posted a video of the same and welcomed Sandeep Warrier to international cricket.

Here’s the video:

Tears of joy! ☺️

The wait is finally over. Welcome to international cricket, Sandeep Warrier. 👏 👏

Go well! 👍 👍 #TeamIndia #SLvIND

Follow the match 👉 https://t.co/E8MEONwPlh pic.twitter.com/KwHAnlO3ZQ

— BCCI (@BCCI) July 29, 2021

Sandeep Warrier – Consistent domestic performer

All the hard work in the domestic circuit has worked wonders for Sandeep Warrier finally. He has toiled hard over the course of 57 first-class, 55 List A and 54 T20 matches since 2012 and has now finally got a chance to showcase his skills at the highest level. He has accounted for more than 300 wickets across the formats while playing for his state team over all these years.