Picture Credit: Twitter
After Sri Lanka were outplayed by India in 1st T20I, the visitors were handed another major blow as the duo of Kusal Mendis and Maheesh Theekshana was ruled out for remainder of the T20I series. "Both Mendis and Theekshana suffered hamstring injuries during the 5th T20I vs Australia," SLC confirmed in an official statement.
Following the setback, Sri Lanka have announced Niroshan Dickwella and Dhananjaya de Silva as replacements for the the injured players. The two senior batsmen will certainly bolster the fairly inexperienced SL batting line-up and could play a crucial role in coming days.
SLC also provide update on Wanindu Hasaranga
“Both players reached Lucknow on Thursday morning. They are quarantined for two days in the hotel (same hotel where both the teams are staying),” said a report published in cric-intra.com. Hence, they will be part of visitors' squad for remaining 2 T20Is as well as 2 Tests which will be played after the white-ball series.
While Maheesh Theekshana is set to return home, Kusal Mendis will stay back in India in hope of recovering on time for Test series. In addition, the board also confirmed that Wanindu Hasaranga, who tested positive for COVID-19 in Australia, will not come to India and is slated to go back home.
Sri Lanka squad (for 2nd and 3rd T20I): Dasun Shanaka (capt), Pathum Nissanka, Charith Asalanka, Dinesh Chandimal, Danushka Gunathilaka, Kamil Mishara, Janith Liyanage, Chamika Karunaratne, Dushmantha Chameera, Lahiru Kumara, Binura Fernando, Shiran Fernando, Jeffrey Vandersay, Praveen Jayawickrama, Ashian Daniel, Niroshan Dickwella and Dhananjaya De Silva.
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka also announced their full squad for 2-match Test series against India which will see senior pacer Suranga Lakmal back in the scheme of things. While Dimuth Karunaratne will captain the side, Dhananjaya de Silva will be his deputy.
Sri Lanka squad (for Test series): Dimuth Karunaratne (c), Pathum Nissanka, Lahiru Thirimanne, Dhananjaya de Silva (vc), Kusal Mendis (subject to fitness), Angelo Mathews, Dinesh Chandimal, Charith Asalanka, Niroshan Dickwella, Chamika Karunaratne, Lahiru Kumara, Suranga Lakmal, Dushmantha Chameera, Vishwa Fernando, Jeffrey Vandersay, Praveen Jayawickrema, Lasith Embuldeniya.