Sri Lanka announce 16-member squad for three-match ODI series against India
The Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) announced a 16-member squad for the three-match ODI series against India on Tuesday, July 30. After T20Is, Charith Asalanka will continue to lead the side in the three 50-over games as well. The matches are scheduled to be played at R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on August 2, 4 and 7.
Asalanka has replaced Kusal Mendis as the new ODI skipper. The latter had led Sri Lanka in their previous 50-over series against Bangladesh, where they lost 1-2 in a three-match affair.
A majority of T20I players will also participate in the ODI series, including Wanindu Hasaranga, Kusal Mendis and Avishka Fernando among others. They have ignored the likes of Sahan Arachchige, Pramod Madushan, and Lahiru Kumara from their previous ODI series against Bangladesh in March.
Matheesha Pathirana (return after injury) and Asitha Fernando (comeback after the Afghanistan series) have also returned to the ODI squad. The duo are also part of the ongoing T20I series against India. Meanwhile, Nishan Madushka has been rewarded with a maiden call for his exploits for Colombo in List-A cricket.
The hosts would be keen to put their best foot forward after losing the T20I series against the Men in Blue.
Sharing the ODI squad on the official website, SLC wrote in a press release:
“The Sri Lanka Cricket Selection Committee selected the below-given 16-member squad to play in the ODI series of the ongoing India Tour of Sri Lanka 2024. The Honorable Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs, Harin Fernando, approved the squad.”
Dushmantha Chameera and Nuwan Thushara will miss the ODI leg of the tour as well. Chameera was ruled out of the T20I series due to bronchitis and respiratory infection, while Thushara fractured his thumb during the training ahead of the beginning of the bilateral series.
Sri Lanka squad for ODI series against India:
Charith Asalanka (captain), Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickarama, Kamindu Mendis, Janith Liyange, Nishan Madushka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Akila Dananjaya, Dilshan Madushanka, Matheesha Pathirana and Asitha Fernando.
Meanwhile, India have already announced their squad for the ODI series. The 50-over games will mark the return of senior players, including India captain Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.
India squad for ODI Squad against Sri Lanka: Rohit Sharma (C), Ꮪhubman Gill (VC), Virat Kohli, KL Rahul (WK), Rishabh Pant (WK), Shreyas Iyer, Shivam Dube, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohd. Siraj, Washington Sundar, Arshdeep Singh, Riyan Parag, Axar Patel, Khaleel Ahmed, Harshit Rana.