Sri Lanka announce squad for the upcoming T20I series against India

Sri Lanka has named its 15-man squad for their tour of India next month, where they will be playing a three-match T20I series.

T20 captain Lasith Malinga misses out due to injury. Dinesh Chandimal will lead in the absence of regular captain Lasith Malinga. Malinga is yet to recover fully from the knee injury that forced him out of the tour of New Zealand. Malinga’s whose last international appearance was during the second and final T20I against West Indies at home in November.

In a surprise move, fast bowler Dilhara Fernando returns to the Sri Lankan squad. The 36-year-old made his last appearance against Pakistan in 2012 and has not played international cricket since. Leg-spinning all-rounder Seekkuge Prasanna also makes a comeback.

Asela Gunaratne, Kasun Rajitha, Binura Fernando are the new faces who have been included in the squad.

All-rounder Angelo Mathews is also recovering from a groin injury and has been left out. Nuwan Kulasekara, Rangana Herath and Nuwan Pradeep also do not feature in the squad.

“Lasith Malinga, Angelo Mathews, Nuwan Kulasekara, Rangana Herath and Nuwan Pradeep were not available for selection due to injuries,” a media release from Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) said today.

Sri Lanka will play India in a three-match series on February 9, 12 and 14 and will be hosted at Pune, Delhi and Vishakhapatnam respectively.

Squad: Dinesh Chandimal (capt), Tillakaratne Dilshan, Seekuge Prasanna, Milinda Siriwardana, Danushka Gunathilaka, Thisara Perera, Dasun Shanaka, Asela Gunaratne, Chamara Kapugedera, Dushmantha Chameera, Dilhara Fernando, Kasun Rajitha, Binura Fernando, Sachithra Senanayake, Jeffrey Vandersay