IND vs SL: Malinga brought in as Sri Lanka panic after Pathirana and Madushanka ruled out of ODI series

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IND vs SL: Panic hit Sri Lanka cricket after pacers Matheesha Pathirana and Dilshan Madushanka were ruled out of the ODI series against India which starts from August 2 in Colombo.

Star pacer Matheesha Pathirana suffered a shoulder injury while fielding in the third T20I against India on Tuesday, while Dilshan Madushanka suffered Grade 2 left hamstring injury during a fielding practice session.

"Dilshan Madushanka suffered a left hamstring injury (Grade 2), the player sustained during fielding at practices. Pathirana has suffered a mild sprain on his right shoulder while diving to take a catch during the Third T20 match vs. India," Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) said in their statement. Notably, MaduShanka had been brought in as Nuwan Thushara's replacement in the preceding T20I series against India.

The release confirmed Mohammed Shiraz and Eshan Malinga as the two replacements. Also, Kusal Janith, Pramod Madushan and Jeffrey Vandersay have been kept on standby in case there are further injuries.

Pathirana's injury comes as a big blow for struggling Sri Lanka side.He was their leading wicket-taker in the T20I series. He picked five wickets at an average of 11.

They lost each of the three T20Is against India despite their batters getting off to good starts. In the final T20I, Sri Lanka failed to chase 138, and eventually lost after scoring just two runs in the Super Over.

Sri Lanka ODI squad vs India: Charith Asalanka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Kamindu Mendis, Janith Liyanage, Nishan Madushka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Chamika Karunaratne, Akila Dananjaya, Mohamed Shiraz, Maheesh Theekshana, Asitha Fernando, Eshan Malinga