Just ask Ruturaj Gaikwad and Abhishek Sharma. The two had good reasons to be optimistic about their selection for the Sri Lanka series after a good run in the IPL and against Zimbabwe.

Harare [Zimbabwe], July 7 (ANI): After playing an unbeaten knock for his side in the second match of the five-match series, star India batter Ruturaj Gaikwad heaped praise on young Abhishek Sharma ...

Abhishek Sharma hit a 47-ball hundred and Ruturaj Gaikwad an unbeaten 77 before Rinku Singh aced the finisher's role with a 22-ball 48 not out as India posted 234 for 2 in their quota of 20 overs .

India's Abhishek Sharma (R) celebrates after scoring a century (100 runs) during the second T20 international cricket match between Zimbabwe and India at Harare Sports Club in Harare on July 7, 2024.

Ruturaj Gaikwad and Abhishek Sharma didn't find a place in Team India's T20I squad for the series against Sri Lanka.

Warming the bench on Wednesday were Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel and Jitesh Sharma. With Jaiswal and Gill putting together a 67-run stand, Abhishek came in only in the ninth over, well past the Powerplay.