Setbacks continued for Sri Lanka even before the start of the T20I series against India. Hours after it was confirmed that pace spearhead Dushmantha Chameera would miss the whole white-ball series, Nuwan Thushara was ruled out of the three-match T20I series due to a fractured left thumb. Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) stated that the right-arm bowler sustained the injury during a practice session on Wednesday night.
Nuwan Thushara will not take part in the T20I series, as the player suffered an injury to his left thumb while fielding during practices last night. A medical report obtained shows a fracture on the player’s left thumb, SLC said. Dilshan Madushanka comes into the squad as a replacement for Nuwan Thushara. Thushara’s injury is a major blow to Sri Lanka, as the 29-year-old right-arm pacer was one of their best performers in T20Is this year.
Sri Lanka will also miss the services of senior pacer Chameera, who was ruled out due to bronchitis and respiratory infection. Pacer Asitha Fernando was drafted into the side for the T20I series. Sri Lanka recently announced their T20I squad for their upcoming series against the Men in Blue. The Lankan squad includes the following players Charith Asalanka (C), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Janith Perera (WK), Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis (WK), Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Chamindu Wickramasinghe, Matheesha Pathirana, Madushanka, Fernando, and Binura Fernando.
India’s tour of Sri Lanka will start on July 27, Saturday. The tour will kick- off with a three-match T20I series, followed by a three-match ODI series, which will start on August 2. The Pallekele International Stadium will be hosting the T20I series, while the R Premadasa is getting ready to host the ODI matches. The second and third T20Is will be played on July 28 and July 30 respectively. The three ODIs will be held on August 2, August 4, and August 7.
Both sides will play under new head coaches. While famous all-rounder Sanath Jayasuriya has been designated interim head coach for the Lankan Lions, former Indian opener Gautam Gambhir, who succeeds T20 World Cup-winning coach Rahul Dravid, will take on his first head coaching duty.
Dravid coached India’s last bilateral white-ball series in Sri Lanka in July 2021, which was headed by Shikhar Dhawan. India won the ODI series 2-1, and Sri Lanka won the T20I series by the same scoreline.
