Sri Lanka have named a 16-man squad led by Charith Asalanka for the upcoming T20I series against India.
Asalanka replaces Wanindu Hasaranga, who recently stepped down as captain after the T20 World Cup. The revamped squad also features veteran Angelo Mathews and experienced Dhananjaya de Silva, along with Dinesh Chandimal’s other senior players Kusal Janith Perera, marking big changes from their dismal World Cup campaign.
Also, 21-year-olds Chamindu Wickramasinghe, Binura Fernando and Avishka Fernando are preferred, while Sadeera Samarawickrama and Dilshan Madhushanka are out.
Asalanka led Jaffna Kings to the title win in the recently concluded Lanka Premier League where Avishka was the highest run-getter among Sri Lankan players. Kusal Perera also impressed with 296 runs at a strike rate of 169. On the bowling front, left-arm seamer Binura Fernando returns to the national team after taking 13 wickets in eight LPL innings.
This is Sri Lanka’s first T20I series after being eliminated in the first match of the World Cup in America and West Indies.
Sri Lanka will take on world champions India in a three-match series on Thursday, all to be played from July 27 at Pallekele.
Full squad: Charith Asalanka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Janith Perera, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Chamindu Wickramasinghe, Matheesha Pathirana, Nuwan Thushara, Dushmantha Chameera, Binura Fernando
