3 reasons why Sri Lanka need not worry despite Dushmantha Chameera and Nuwan Thushara being ruled out of India T20Is
Sri Lanka are all set to play a limited-overs series comprising three T20Is and as many ODIs against India. Earlier this week, Sri Lanka Cricket announced a 15-member squad for the T20I series, set to start on July 27.
After the team's early exit from the 2024 T20 World Cup, Wanindu Hasaranga stepped down from T20I captaincy. As a result, Charith Asalanka was handed the reins of the team. Apart from Hasaranga, he will also have support from talented players like Kusal Mendis, Avishka Fernando and Pathun Nissanka.
The team management decided to drop Angelo Mathews and Dhananjaya de Silva, who were part of Sri Lanka's T20 World Cup campaign. Interestingly, Dinesh Chandimal makes a return to the squad after more than two years. He was the Kandy Falcons' second-highest run-scorer in LPL 2024.
Unfortunately, the team will miss the services of Dushmantha Chameera and Nuwan Thushara. Asitha Fernando received a call-up in place of Chameera, while Dilshan Madushanka replaced Thushara.
On that note, let's take a look at why Sri Lanka are likely to be in good stead despite the absence of star fast bowlers.
#1 Dilshan Madushanka has been Sri Lanka's key wicket-taker against India in T20Is
Left-arm pacer Dilshan Madushanka has picked up 14 wickets in as many T20I games at an economy of 9.41. Out of them, he has played the most (4) games against India. He has picked up eight wickets against the Indian team.
Interestingly, he finished with his best T20I figures of 3/24 in the 2022 Asia Cup. He dismissed the likes of Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant and Deepak Hooda to restrict India under 180. It paved the way for Sri Lanka to seal the chase in the last over. Hence, Madushanka can prove to be a lethal weapon for the home side in this series.
#2 Impressive form of top-order batters in LPL 2024
The recently concluded LPL 2024 saw the majority of batters in their Lanka squad give strong showings of their intent and ball-striking abilities. The ODI skipper, Kusal Mendis slammed 329 runs at a strike rate of 149.55 for the Jaffna Kings. He smoked a sensational 105* off 54 balls in the Qualifier 2 and returned with a knock of 72* off 40 in the final.
Meanwhile, Pathum Nissanka also played a major role for the Kings as they reached the playoffs by scoring 333 runs in 11 innings, with a top score of 119. Also, another Kings batter, Avishka Fernando emerged as the third-highest run-getter in the tournament with 374 runs in 11 innings at an explosive strike rate of 162.60.
#3 Leadership of LPL 2024 winning captain Charith Asalanka
The newly elected skipper, Charith Asalanka is coming into the series after a title-winning run with Jaffna Kings in LPL 2024. Under his leadership, Kings won five out of eight league games to progress to the playoffs.
Then, they lost Qualifier 1 but sealed the finale spot by clinching a thrilling Qualifier 2 game by one run. Then, the Kings produced an impressive display to secure a nine-wicket win against Galle Marvels in the final to lift the title.
In terms of his leadership experience, Asalanka captained Sri Lanka in two T20I games against Bangladesh earlier this year and has a 1-1 record. In the past, he has also led the Sri Lanka U19 side and Richmond College in Galle.