Bhanuka out of India T20Is, Ashiyan Daniels included
Middle-order batsman Bhanuka Rajapaksa drops again due to a lack of fitness standards.
Uncapped off-spinner Aasyan Daniel includes after a strong performance in domestic List A cricket.
Daniels is the only new addition to the squad to have just finished a T20I series losing 4-1 in Australia. However, three players suffered injuries during that series and will play no part in the India series.
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Many players unavailable due
to injury–
Batsman Avishka Fernando may be out for several months due to a knee injury, may have to undergo surgery. All-rounder Ramesh Mendis broke his thumb while batting in the nets. And round-arm seamer Nuwan Thushara picked up a side strain in the middle of the spell. Kusal Perera, who also did not go to Australia, was unavailable due to injury.
Retained their places in the team–
Danushka Gunathilaka and Dinesh Chandimal both were dropped from the XI due to the Australia series. They have retained their places in the team. Batsmen Kamil Mishara and Zenith Lianage, who made their debuts on Sunday, also retained their places.
Read more: IND vs SL T20I: Sri Lanka Board Announced 18-Member Squad For T20 Series
Boycott remains controversial–
Bhanuka Rajprakashe’s boycott remains controversial. Although Rajapaksa’s weight and fitness had been a concern for a long time, his performances in the middle order have been fairly good, albeit with occasional poor fielding.
Sri Lanka will play three T20Is against India. The first of which is scheduled to be held in Lucknow on Thursday.
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Sri Lanka squad:
Dasun Shanaka (Captain), Pathum Nisanka, Kusal Mendis, Charit Aslanka, Dinesh Chandimal, Danushka Gunathilaka, Kamil Mishara, Janith Lianage, Vanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Dushmantha Chamira, Lahiru Kumara, Binura Fernando, Mahish Jeffrey Vandersay, Praveen Jayavikrama, Asian Daniels