Sri Lanka drop Dasun Shanaka for West Indies T20Is
Sri Lanka have announced a strong 17-member team for the upcoming home T20I series against West Indies. However, the squad doesn't feature former captain Dasun Shanaka. Notably, Shanaka and pacer Dushmantha Chameera were the only ones to miss out from the team that lost 0-3 to India in the T20Is in July, Middle-order batter Bhanuka Rajapaksa has been recalled for this series. This will be his first SL assignment since January 2023.
Asalanka to lead Sri Lanka, Hasaranga heads spin attack
The leadership baton for the upcoming series has been handed over to Charith Asalanka. Wanindu Hasaranga, another former captain who stepped down after the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, will be leading a formidable spin attack. The spin department also includes Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, and Dunith Wellalage. Vandersay is set to play his first T20I in over two years after delivering a career-best performance of 6/33 in an ODI series against India in August.
Dambulla to host all 3 matches of series
The T20I series will start on October 13, followed by matches on October 15 and 17. All three games will be played in Dambulla. The Sri Lankan team for the series includes Charith Asalanka, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Kamindu Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Avishka Fernando and Bhanuka Rajapaksa among others. Notably, SL suffered a 0-3 sweep at home against India in their preceding T20I assignment.
Sri Lanka T20I squad
Sri Lanka T20I squad: Charith Asalanka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Kamindu Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Avishka Fernando, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, Jeffrey Vandersay, Chamidu Wickramasinghe, Nuwan Thushara, Matheesha Pathirana, Binura Fernando, Asitha Fernando.
