SL v IND 2024: SL seamer Nuwan Thushara to miss India T20Is with broken finger, Chameera also ruled out
SL v IND 2024: Sri Lanka pacer Thushara to miss India T20Is with broken finger
Hosts Sri Lanka has dealt with a double blow as pace duo - Nuwan Thushara and Dushmantha Chameera got ruled out of at least the India T20Is withinjuries. While Thushara suffered a broken finger in training ahead of the first T20I in Pallekele on Saturday (July 27), Chameera will miss the home series due to illness. SLC replaced Chameera with Asitha Fernando, but Thushara’s replacement is yet to be named.
Per a report in ESPNcricinfo, Sri Lanka Team manager Mahinda Halangoda confirmed Thushara suffered a blow to his non-bowling hand, enough to keep him out of the three-match T20I series. He added that Thushara broke his finger while fielding (under the lights) on Wednesday, becoming the second SL pacer after Chameera to miss the India T20Is.
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Thushara was Sri Lanka’s best bowler during the T20 World Cup in the Americas, picking eight wickets from three contested matches. Before the 20-team tournament, Thushara also bagged his maiden T20I hat-trick against Bangladesh. Meanwhile, the left-arm seamer Dilshan Madushanka is said to be his replacement in the T20I squad.
Earlier, experienced bowler Chameera got ruled out of the marquee home series due to bronchitis and a respiratory infection. Representing Kandy Falcons in the Lankan Premier League (LPL) earlier this month. The right-arm seamer was also rested during the fag end of the tournament.
"Only yesterday did we get back the reports, and it can be confirmed that he will miss the T20Is and ODIs against India," Sri Lanka's chief selector Upul Tharanga said ahead of the India white-ball series.
Sri Lanka’s T20I squad for India series –
Charith Asalanka (captain), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Janith Perera (wk), Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis (wk), Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Chamindu Wickramasinghe, Matheesha Pathirana, Binura Fernando and Asitha Fernando
- 1st T20I – Saturday (July 27) – Pallekele
- 2nd T20I – Sunday (July 28) – Pallekele
- 3rd T20I – Tuesday (July 30) – Pallekele
- 1st ODI – Friday (August 2) – Colombo
- 2nd ODI – Sunday (August 4) – Colombo
- 3rd ODI – Wednesday (August 7) – Colombo
(With inputs from agencies)
