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With T20 World Cup just round the corner, Sri Lanka cricket has received a major blow. Senior batsman Kusal Perera has sustained another injury prior to the ICC mega-event. Left-handed batsman Kusal Perera has now suffered a hamstring injury and is doubtful to play the 2021 T20 World Cup, scheduled to take place in October-November. The southpaw sustained the strain in Sri Lanka’s 3rd T20I against South Africa on Tuesday, September 14.
Though Perera scored 39 runs off 33 deliveries in that 3rd T20I, the nature of the injury is such that the southpaw can’t do a fast rehabilitation. With only a month left for the T20 World Cup, it would be important to see whether Perera can attain enough fitness to participate in the mega event.
Sri Lanka’s team physio gives update on Perera’s injury
Sri Lanka’s physician Dr. Daminda Attanayake gave an update on Perera’s injury. “The injury is a sprinter’s injury, which can be picked up while running between the wickets. Because of the nature of the injury, we can’t do a fast rehabilitation,” Dr. Daminda Attanayake was quoted as saying in ESPNcricinfo.
Perera has been a vital cog for the Sri Lankan side in the shortest format and his participation doubt will raise worries for the Lankan Lions, who have to play in the first round of the T20 World Cup before qualifying for the Super 12. They will face Namibia in their first game on October 18 in Abu Dhabi. The Island nation are alongside Netherlands, Namibia and Ireland in Group A of the first round.
Perera’s recent hard luck with health issues
Kusal Perera is an explosive batsman for Sri Lanka in limited-overs but has been dealing with injuries lately. He was ruled out of the home series against India in July due to a shoulder injury. Followed by this, he tested positive for COVID-19 in August and had to undergo mandatory quarantine. The southpaw was then named in T20I squad for home series against South Africa where he suffered a hamstring injury, raising doubts on his participation in the forthcoming T20 World Cup.