A major setback for Sri Lanka’s World Cup hopes, as they will be without their top spinner for the duration of the tournament.
Sri Lanka’s 15-Man Squad
Sri Lanka announced their 15-man squad on September 26th, just two days before the ICC deadline. Dasun Shanaka captains the team, with Kusal Mendis serving as his deputy.
Star Spinner Hasaranga
The biggest story coming out of the Sri Lanka camp is the absence of their star spinner Wanindu Hasaranga, who has a hamstring injury.
The leg-spinner suffered a thigh strain during the Lankan Premier League playoffs last month, where he finished as the tournament’s leading run-scorer with 279 runs and wicket-taker with 19 wickets. The injury forced the spinner to withdraw from the Asia Cup.
SLC had previously stated that they would do everything possible to ensure Hasaranga’s participation.
However, they had also mentioned the possibility of Hasaranga missing at least three months of cricket due to surgery.
Sri Lanka’s Victory
Hasaranga was a key component in Sri Lanka’s victory in the World Cup Qualifiers in June and July.
Securing their place in the main event in India. With an impressive 22 wickets in only seven games, he topped the tournament’s wicket-takers chart.
Pacer Dushmantha Chameera, among others, has failed to recover from a shoulder injury and will not be included in the squad.
The good news is that Dilshan Madushanka and Lahiru Kumara have returned to the squad after missing the Asia Cup.
Madushanka had an oblique muscle tear during a practice game prior to the Asia Cup, and Lahiru Kumara had missed cricket due to a recurring side strain.
Despite the loss of Hasaranga and Chameera, Sri Lanka brings a fairly balanced side to the global event.
Sri Lanka’s Top-Order
The top-order is led by Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, and Kusal Mendis. Sadeera Samarawickrama, Kusal Perera, Charith Asalanka, and Dhananjaya de Silva will play in the middle order.
The squad is stacked with all-round talent, with skipper Shanaka leading the way. Other candidates include Dhananjaya, Dunith Wellalage, and Asalanka.
Kasun Rajitha, Dilshan Madushanka, Lahiru Kumara, and rising star Matheesha Pathirana are all part of the pace department. Maheesh Theekshana will lead the spin attack, with help from Wellalage and Dhananjaya, among others.
Sri Lanka’s Final Squad
Dasun Shanaka (c), Kusal Mendis (vc), Kusal Perera, Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dushan Hemantha, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, Kasun Rajitha, Matheesha Pathirana, Lahiru Kumara, Dilshan Madushanka.
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