IND vs SL: Another injury blow for Sri Lanka, 'Malinga carbon copy' out of T20I series, replacement named

Add as a preferred source on Google

IND vs SL: Sri Lanka suffered yet another injury blow ahead of their T20I series against India in the form of Nuwan Thushara. The pacer with a slinging action just like Sri Lanka legend Lasith Malinga, injured his thumb during a fielding practice session.

The scans have revealed a fracture on Nuwan Thushara's left thumb. Left-arm pacer Dilshan Madushanka has been named his replacement for the three T20I matches. The series starts from Saturday, July 27.

"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. Dilshan Madushanka comes into the squad as a replacement for Nuwan Thushara," Sri Lanka Cricket said in its release.

Earlier, Dushmantha Chameera was ruled out of the series after failing to recover from a bronchitis and respiratory infection on time. The pacer was replaced by Asitha Fernando.

Sri Lanka will be led by new captain Charith Asalanka after the stepping down of Wanindu Hasaranga from the role following Sri Lanka's T20 World Cup 2024 debacle. Senior batter Dinesh Chandimal has been called back and is in line to play his first T20I match since February 2022.

Sri Lanka have dropped former captain Angelo Mathews and Dhananjaya de Silva. Sadeera Samarawickrama and Dilshan Madhushanka have also been dropped as the selectors have opted for the likes of Chamindu Wickramasinghe, Binura Fernando and Avishka Fernando.

Sri Lanka squad for T20I series vs India: Charith Asalanka (c), 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