Sri Lanka Cricket announced a 16-member squad for the forthcoming three-match T20I series against India, commencing July 27 in Pallekele. This marks an overhaul in its leadership and makeup as Sri Lanka faces the never-ending task of recovery from their disappointing performance at the recent T20 World Cup 2024.
Sri Lanka won only one of their four league matches in the World Cup. A change or two were expected in the squad once the event got over, perhaps starting from the leadership department. Wanindu Hasaranga’s call to resign as captain opened up the route for Charith Asalanka to take on the mantle of T20I skipper. His appointment has coincided with his successful stint leading the Jaffna Kings to their fourth Lanka Premier League title, proving his potential to be a capable leader.
The newly announced squad includes a mix of veterans and upcoming talent. The established cricketers, namely Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera, and Dinesh Chandimal, bring enormous experience, while the batting all-rounder Chamindu Wickramasinghe is the only uncapped player being inducted into the lineup as an ode to fresh talent and future potential.
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This selection – cleared by Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Harin Fernando – makes for a strategic approach towards mending the recent struggles of the team. Experienced players like Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis, and Dasun Shanaka bring stability, while new blood in Dunith Wellalage and Matheesha Pathirana epitomize the future of Sri Lankan cricket.
Sri Lanka announces the T20I squad for the India series, with Asalanka named as captain. #SLvIND pic.twitter.com/O5oeyFtLHU
— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) July 23, 2024
On the other hand, the Indian Cricket Team arrived in Sri Lanka on Monday looking to start their tour to the Island Nation with a lot of zeal and enthusiasm. Under the new leadership duo of Head Coach Gautam Gambhir and Skipper Suryakumar Yadav, the newly crowned T20 World Champions look to sustain the winning momentum. The series against Sri Lanka will give India an opportunity to continue from where they left off and further stamp their authority in the shortest format of the game.
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This is an upcoming series that becomes a big testing ground for the new-look squad of Sri Lanka but also becomes a great opportunity for India to test things out and settle on strategies under new leadership. As both teams head into the opening T20I, all eyes are upon seeing how these changes reflect in the field and what it holds for the future of T20 cricket of these two nations.
Sri Lanka’s 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, Nuwan Thushara, Dushmantha Chameera, Binura Fernando.
