Picture Credit: Twitter/@OfficialSLC
The Sri Lankan cricket team have received a major blow prior to their limited-overs series against India with the news coming in that their wicketkeeper and batting mainstay Kusal Perera might be a doubtful starter for the fixtures lined up. It is being reported that Perera has sustained a shoulder injury during the matches against England and could miss the India series.
It is further being said that Perera hasn't been able to take part in any of the team practice sessions and that the left-handed batter will be under the observation of the Sri Lankan medical team. However, an official confirmation on his injury or availability is yet to be made.
Perera fourth highest T20I run-getter for Sri Lanka
While Perera played all the six matches on their tour of England, he remains one of their key players and his absence would be a pretty big void to fill for a side already struggling in recent times.
The 30-year-old is one of the vital members of the Sri Lankan side, more so of their limited overs team. He is the fourth highest run-getter for the island country in the shortest format of the game and has accumulated over 1300 runs in 50 matches at an average of 27.48. Moreover, even in ODIs, Perera has over 3000 runs at an average of over 31.
Three Sri Lankan first-choice players already facing suspension
Furthermore, he has been in good nick as is evident from his recent performances. In his last 5 ODIs, he has scored a century and half-century and has scored 30 or more runs in 3 of his last 7 innings in T20 Internationals.
This is not the end of problems for Sri Lanka as they are already without the services of Danushka Gunathilaka, Niroshan Dickwella, and Kusal Mendis as they had breached the bio-secure bubble in England and are facing a suspension for their indiscipline. Sri Lanka's ODI series with India is set to commence on July 18, with the T20Is to begin on July 25.