Sri Lanka announce preliminary squad for the T20I series against India

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has announced a 20-member preliminary squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against India. The first of the three-match ODI series is currently in progress in Dharamsala. Lasith Malinga has made his return to the squad after being overlooked for the series against Pakistan in UAE last month. However, it remains to be seen though if he makes the cut when the squad is trimmed to 15-members in the next few days.

The selectors of Sri Lanka had sent a depleted side for the T20I leg of their tour to UAE as the main fringe players had refused to play in Pakistan. The third T20I of the series was scheduled to play in Lahore which was successfully held by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). This time around though SLC is leaving no stone unturned and have picked a full strength team for the shortest format of the game.

Jeevan Mendis also returns

The all-rounder Jeevan Mendis has also made his comeback to the side after last playing for his country in 2013 in the format. The star of the Test series for them Suranga Lakmal though has been rested it seems as he is the only player to miss out from the current ODI squad which is playing in India. The likes of Dasun Shanaka, Isuru Udana, Vishwa Fernando and Chaturanga de Silva have also managed to make it to the team.

Soon the squad is expected to be trimmed to 15 players and it would be interesting to see how many of the lot are picked. The T20I series will commence on December in Cuttack at Barabati Stadium after the conclusion of ODI series on 17th of the same month. The next two matches will be played on 22 and 24 in Indore and Mumbai at the historic Wankhede Stadium.

Squad: Thisara Perera(c), Upul Tharanga, Danushka Gunathilaka, Lahiru Thirimanne, Angelo Mathews, Asela Gunaratne, Niroshan Dickwella, Chaturanga de Silva, Akila Dananjaya, Nuwan Pradeep, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dushmantha Chameera, Sachith Pathirana, Kusal Perera, Lasith Malinga, Jeevan Mendis Dasun Shanaka, Isuru Udana and Vishwa Fernando.