Veteran Sri Lankan pacer Lasith Malinga has been axed from the T20I squad of his nation, who will play three-match series against host India. The T20 International series will commence in Cuttack on December 20.

Malinga was not considered for the One-Day International series against the same opponent earlier this month after missing out for Pakistan series in UAE. He missed the cricketing action following an injury before T20 World Cup 2016 in India and made a comeback in February this year.

However, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) revealed that Malinga is rested from the team in order to try youngsters. In his absence, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Pradeep and Vishwa Fernando are named in the fast bowling department. Angelo Mathews and Dasun Shanaka will fill all-rounder’s shoes along with captain Thisara Perera.

Sri Lanka T20I Squad: Thisara Perera (C) Upul Tharanga, Angelo Mathews, Kusal Janith Perera, Danushka Gunathilaka, Niroshan Dickwella, Asela Gunaratne, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Dasun Shanaka, Chaturanga de Silva, Sachith Pathirana, Akila Dananjaya, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Pradeep and Vishwa Fernando.