Sri Lanka Cricket has announced a 16-man squad for the upcoming T20I series against India, marking significant changes in leadership and player selections. Charith Asalanka has been named the new captain, taking over from Wanindu Hasaranga, who stepped down earlier this month.
Asalanka, who has previously captained Sri Lanka Under-19s and led Jaffna Kings to the LPL title, is no stranger to leadership. He briefly captained Sri Lanka in two T20Is against Bangladesh earlier this year when Hasaranga was suspended. Asalanka’s leadership experience and recent success with Jaffna Kings position him as a promising choice for the national team.
The squad also sees the return of 34-year-old Dinesh Chandimal to the T20I fold. Chandimal’s impressive form in the LPL, where he scored 287 runs at a strike rate of 168.82, earned him a recall after a hiatus since early 2022. However, Angelo Mathews, despite his strong LPL performance, has been left out.
A notable inclusion is the uncapped 21-year-old allrounder Chamindu Wickramasinghe. Wickramasinghe, who has been training at the MRF Pace Academy in India, had a breakout LPL campaign with the Dambulla Sixers. His performance, including seven wickets and 186 runs, earned him a spot in the squad.
Key Inclusions and Omissions
The squad features several other key returns, including Kusal Perera, Avishka Fernando, and Binura Fernando. However, there is no place for Sadeera Samarawickrama, Dhananjaya de Silva, and Dilshan Madushanka. Madushanka’s omission is particularly surprising given his recent success in the 2023 ODI World Cup, but his recent T20 form and competition for spots likely influenced the decision.
Binura Fernando’s inclusion is based on his excellent LPL performance, where he took 13 wickets with an economy rate of 6.81. His ability to stay injury-free has finally allowed him to showcase his talent consistently.
Kusal Perera and Avishka Fernando also return after strong LPL seasons. Perera scored 296 runs at a strike rate of 169.14, while Avishka, batting at No. 4 for Jaffna Kings, scored 374 runs at a strike rate of 162.60.
Sri Lanka T20I Squad Against India
Prospects and Strategy
The squad boasts a strong batting line-up with Asalanka, Nissanka, Perera, and Fernando at the helm. The inclusion of experienced players like Chandimal and versatile allrounders like Shanaka and Wickramasinghe adds depth.
In the bowling department, Sri Lanka has a mix of experienced and emerging talent. Hasaranga, Theekshana, and Wellalage lead the spin attack, while the seamers include Thushara, Pathirana, Chameera, and Fernando. The presence of both right and left-arm seamers provides variety and strategic options for different match situations.
The series against India, starting on July 27 in Pallekele, will be a significant test for Asalanka’s captaincy and Gambhir’s coaching strategy. Sri Lanka will be aiming to leverage their mix of seasoned players and new talent to deliver strong performances and secure a series victory against the formidable Indian team.
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