Charith Asalanka All Set To Lead Sri Lanka In T20I Series Against India

Sri Lanka has named a 16-member squad led by Charith Asalanka for the T20Is against India. Asalanka replaces Wanindu Hasaranga, who stepped down as captain. The Lankan Lions are in a transition phase after their dismal T20 World Cup 2024 campaign. The new-look squad also sees veteran Angelo Mathews and the experienced Dhananjaya de Silva go out and other senior players, Dinesh Chandimal and Kusal Janith Perera, coming in, marking major changes from their dismal World Cup campaign. Furthermore, 21-year-old Chamindu Wickramasinghe, Binura Fernando, and Avishka Fernando are included, while Sadeera Samarawickrama and Dilshan Madhushanka miss out.

Charith Asalanka is all set to lead Sri Lanka in the T20I series against India

The Sri Lanka Cricket Selection Committee has named a 16-member squad led by Charith Asalanka to play in the T20I series during the India Tour of Sri Lanka 2024. The squad has been approved by Sri Lanka's Honorable Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs, Harin Fernando. The T20I games are scheduled to take place on July 27, July 28, and July 30 at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. Asalanka led the Jaffna Kings to victory in the recently concluded Lankan Premier League, where Avishka was the top run-scorer among Sri Lankan players.

Kusal Perera has impressed with a 296-run tally at a strike rate of 169. On the bowling front, left-arm seamer Binura Fernando is making a comeback to the national side after taking 13 wickets in eight outings in the LPL. This will be Sri Lanka's first T20I series after being eliminated in the group stage of the T20 World Cup 2024, which took place in the USA and West Indies. The rest of the T20I side has been announced as expected, with Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka, Dunith Wellalage, and Wanindu Hasaranga completing a strong batting line-up. 

Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana and Dunith Wellalage will be the primary spin-bowling options with support from the ambidextrous Kamindu Mendis if needed. The fast-bowling contingent shows good variety with two slingers in Nuwan Thushara and Matheesha Pathirana, Binura's left-arm seam and Dushmantha Chameera's right-arm pace. At the same time, Shanaka and Wickramasinghe can also roll their arm over if necessary. Sri Lanka will take on world champions India in a three-match T20I series over four days, all of which will be played in Pallekele starting on July 27.

Sri Lanka squad for T20I series vs India

Charith Asalanka (C), 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, Nuwan Thushara, Dushmantha Chameera, Binura Fernando.