SL vs WI: Sri Lanka announce squad for West Indies T20Is – Charith Asalanka to Lead; Dinesh Chandimal returns, Shanaka axed

Sri Lanka Cricket Board announced a strong squad for the upcoming T20I series against West Indies.

Charith Asalanka was named as the captain for the team, who will continue to lead them in the shortest format of the game.

"The Honorable Prime Minister, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, who is the Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs, approved the squad," a statement from SLC read regarding the squad.

The series is marked by a significant milestone for Sanath Jayasuriya, who will be overseeing his first series as the permanent coach of the Sri Lankan team since his appointment. Having assumed interim responsibilities since June, Jayasuriya, at the age of 55, was officially named the full-time coach on Monday (October 7). This appointment follows a string of successes, including a notable Test match victory in England and a commendable 2-0 Test series clean sweep against New Zealand. The Lankans also won the ODI series against India before that, a feat that had eluded them for 27 years.

Matheesha Pathirana and Maheesh Theekshana are likely to lead their bowling attack whereas the likes of Kusal Medis, Pathum Nissanka and Bhanuka Rajapaksa make it a strong batting unit. Dinesh Chandimal has made a surprise return to the T20 squad, but former captain Dasun Shanaka is left out of the team.

The series against the West Indies will kick off with the T20 matches scheduled for October 15 and 17 at Dambulla. Following the T20s, the teams will shift their focus to a three-match ODI series to be held at Pallekele.

Sri Lanka Squad for West Indies T20Is

Charith Asalanka (capt), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Kamindu Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Avishka Fernando, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, Jeffrey Vandersay, Chamindu Wickramasinghe, Nuwan Thushara, Matheesha Pathirana, Binura Fernando and Asitha Fernando.