Charith Asalanka was announced the new captain of the Sri Lankan team as the hosts revealed their 16-member squad for the three-match T20I series against India starting from July 27 in Pallekele. (More Cricket News)
Asalanka replaces Wanindu Hasaranga as the T20I captain who resigned from the post after a dismal T20 World Cup campaign where Sri Lanka faced a group stage exit.
The 27-year-old Asalanka led Jaffna Kings to the trophy of the recently-concluded Lanka Premier League 2024. He has over 1,000 runs in 47 T20Is and has previously captained the Sri Lankan U-19 team.
LPL 2024 performers have also been rewarded with Dinesh Chandimal, Kusal Perera and Avishka Fernando returning to the team following a successful season in Sri Lanka's premier T20 tournament.
Pacer Binura Fernando also finds a place in the team.
Another LPL 2024 performer, all-rounder Chamindu Wickramasinghe has earned a maiden call up to the Sri Lankan T20I squad.
Playing their first T20I series after a dismal T20 World Cup campaign, Sri Lanka have done away with the veteran all-rounder Angelo Matthews and expereince all-rounder Dhananjaya de Silva.
Wicket-keeper Sadeera Samarawickrama has also been dropped. The left-arm pacer Dilshan Madhushanka too is not part of the squad.
The T20I games will be played on the 27th, 28th, and 30th July at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.
India will be led by Suryakumar Yadav in the series. The Indian team landed in Sri Lanka on Monday and will play three ODIs too after the completion of the T20I series.
Sri Lanka Squad for T20Is Against India
Charith Asalanka (Captain), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Janith 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
