Interim skipper Chamara Kapugedera injured during warm-up ahead of the 3rd ODI

Sri Lanka is fighting a lost cause in the ongoing bilateral series with India. Following their 3-0 decimation by the Men in Blue in the Test series, the island nation is on the verge of another major loss after losing first two matches of the 5 ODI series. And now to add to their woes, stand-in Sri Lankan captain Chamara Kapugedera suffered an injury to his arm while batting in the nets just prior to their third ODI at Pallekele.

The 30-year-old cricketer had to be taken to the hospital for a check-up but is likely to play the third ODI. Sri Lanka is already missing Gunaratne due to a shoulder injury, and have lost a number of fast bowlers due to injuries in the Test series. Kapugedera was named to lead in Sunday’s third ODI against India after skipper Upul Tharanga was suspended for two matches by the ICC for his team’s slow over rate.

Kapugedera is confident of a win

On the eve of the game, Kapugedera however, sounded confident of the challenge ahead. The skipper denied that the team was low on morale. Instead, he believes have found some momentum for the first time in the ongoing series.

Speaking to the media, Kapugedera lauded his side saying, “I don’t think we are struggling. I think there is a good atmosphere in the team. The way we played we are having lot of confidence. Everyone is together and hopefully, we can pull off one win. After the last game we believe that we can win. We played really well.”

It was rather surprising when Kapugedera was named the captain of the team, considering the fact that Test skipper Dinesh Chandimal is also in the squad. Also, the cricketer has a little over 100 ODIs experience under his belt, striking at a mediocre average of 21.23.