Bhanuka Rajapaksa recalled to Sri Lanka's T20I squad for three-match series against West Indies
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) have announced the squad for the upcoming three-game T20I series at home against the West Indies. Middle-order batter Bhanuka Rajapaksa is a notable inclusion in the 17-player squad, having last played for the national team in January 2023 during the India tour.
The left-handed batter, one of the cleanest strikers in white-ball cricket, delivered promising performances for the Saint Lucia Kings in the 2024 edition of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL). Although he finished with only 125 runs in six matches, the 32-year-old registered a strike rate of 141.11.
Left-arm seamer Binura Fernando has also returned to the squad after initially being named in the one to face India recently. Jeffrey Vandersay, who starred in the ODI series victory over India, has also been recalled, having played his last T20I in February 2022.
The players left out from the previous series include Dasun Shanaka, Dilshan Madushanka, and Dushmantha Chameera. It will also be Sanath Jayasuriya's first series since being appointed as the full-time coach.
Sri Lanka squad for T20I series against the West Indies: Charith Asalanka, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Chamindu Wickramasinghe, Matheesha Pathirana, Nuwan Thushara, Asitha Fernando, Binura Fernando.
Sri Lanka suffered a 3-0 series defeat against India
Asalanka's first assignment as captain wasn't the most auspicious one as India consigned them to a 3-0 series sweep in their backyard as the hosts kept losing from winning positions.
However, they plotted their resurgence from the subsequent one-day series as Jayasuriya's tenure in the interim capacity has propelled the national team towards big strides.
West Indies have named both their ODI and T20I squads, which are set to be captained by Shai Hope and Rovman Powell, respectively. The T20I series begins on October 13, with Dambulla to stage all three matches.