Sri Lanka suffer another injury blow ahead of India T20Is, Nuwan Thushara ruled out due to broken finger

Sri Lanka have suffered yet another injury blow ahead of the T20I series against India. Right-arm pacer Nuwan Thushara sustained a broken finger while training, rendering him unavailable for the series.

According to ESPN Cricinfo, team manager Mahinda Halangoda confirmed that Thushara's injury is on his left hand and that it was severe enough to rule him out. Halangoda revealed that the injury took place when Sri Lanka were training late on Wednesday under lights and the 29-year-old was at fielding practice.

On Wednesday, it emerged that right-arm speedster Dushmantha Chameera will miss the series due to illness, with Asitha Fernando roped in as his replacement. Dilshan Madushanka is likely to come in as a cover for Thushara.

Nuwan Thushara has been a consistent performer for Sri Lanka since his debut

Nuwan Thushara has delivered promising performances since debuting in international cricket in February 2022 against Australia in Sydney. In 11 T20Is, he has claimed 19 wickets at an average 14.57.

The Thalawa-born fast bowler was one of Sri Lanka's better bowlers in an otherwise disappointing T20 World Cup 2024 campaign, taking eight wickets in three games. Thushara had also claimed a hat-trick on his way to figures of 4-1-20-5 against Bangladesh in Sylhet earlier this year.

The national men's team has undergone a handful of changes ahead of the T20I series. Chris Silverwood and Wanindu Hasaranga have stepped down as the coach and captain, respectively, after the T20 World Cup. Sanath Jayasuriya has assumed the role of the head coach on an interim basis, while Charith Asalanka has been appointed captain.

Their opponents India have also witnessed changes, but seem to have a much more settled side. The T20I series begins on Saturday, July 27, in Pallekele. The two sides will also play three 50-over matches, beginning on August 2.