Sri Lanka seamer Binura Fernando hospitalized, ruled out of 1st T20I against India
Sri Lanka's injury woes get worse as fast bowler Binura Fernando has been ruled out of the opening encounter against India.
The left arm pacer has been diagnosed with a chest infection and was hospitalised, as reported by Sri Lankan Cricket. This is the third injury blow for the hosts, as earlier Dushmantha Chameera (bronchitis) and Nuwan Thushara (finger injury) were also ruled out of the series.
Binura Fernando had a great time in the recently concluded Lanka Premier League. Playing for the Colombo Strikers, the 29-year-old pacer picked up 13 wickets in eight matches at an economy of 6.81. He was bowling in tandem with fellow national team-mate Mateesha Pathirana and both had a formidable partnership, bowling in the powerplay and in the end overs.
The Sri Lankan Cricket Board put out the following post on X:
Ramesh Mendis replaces Binura Fernando in the Sri Lanka squad
Right-arm off-spinner Ramesh Mendis has been drafted in as a replacement for Binura Fernando. He was a travelling reserve with the squad and has been added to the team along with Asitha Fernando and Dilshan Madushanka.
The 25-year-old comes off the back of an underwhelming Lanka Premier League. Playing for the Kandy Falcons, Mendis picked up only four wickets across the six games he played.
Ramesh Mendis has played only two T20Is for Sri Lanka. He made his debut against India and has two appearances in the shortest format of the game. Playing in the T20I series, he picked up the wicket of Devdutt Paddikal, which also happens to be his only wicket in T20Is.
Sri Lanka will take on India in the T20I series starting on July 27 in Pallekele. Thereafter, the two teams will play an ODI series from August 2.
Updated Sri Lankan Squad for the T20I series against India: Charith Asalanka (C), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Chamindu Wickramasinghe, Matheesha Pathirana, Dilshan Madushanka, Asitha Fernando, and Ramesh Mendis.