Charith Asalanka has been appointed the new captain of the Sri Lanka men’s T20I team, confirmed by Sri Lanka Cricket when they announced the 16-man squad for the upcoming three-match series against India, starting on July 27.
Captaincy and Key Changes
Asalanka steps in to replace Wanindu Hasaranga, who resigned from the captaincy following a six-month stint that concluded with Sri Lanka’s recent defeats. Asalanka is experienced in leadership roles, having captained Sri Lanka in two T20Is during their tour of Bangladesh earlier this year and leading the Jaffna Kings to victory in the Lanka Premier League (LPL) after taking over from Thisara Perera.
Return of Chandimal
Dinesh Chandimal returns to the T20I fold after last playing in early 2022. His inclusion is based on his excellent form in the LPL, where he amassed 287 runs at a strike rate of 168.82. This impressive performance, particularly as an opener, compelled selectors to bring him back into the squad.
New and Returning Faces
Chamindu Wickramasinghe, an uncapped 21-year-old all-rounder from Kandy, has been called up. Wickramasinghe, who has been honing his skills at the MRF Pace Academy in India, impressed in the LPL with his dual skills, taking seven wickets and scoring 186 runs at a strike rate of 131.91.
The squad also sees the return of Kusal Perera, Avishka Fernando, and Binura Fernando. Kusal Perera, who initially went unsold in the LPL auction, made a strong comeback with 296 runs, including a maiden T20 century. Avishka Fernando excelled in the middle order for Jaffna Kings, scoring 374 runs and helping his team to the LPL title. Binura Fernando, known for his clever bowling variations, picked up 13 wickets in the LPL, showcasing his consistency and resilience.
Notable Omissions
Angelo Mathews, despite a strong LPL performance, has been left out. Dilshan Madushanka, who played a key role in the 2023 ODI World Cup, is also missing from the squad. His exclusion is surprising given his recent performances, but the depth in Sri Lanka’s pace department likely influenced this decision.
Full Squad
The full squad for the T20I series against India is as follows:
- Charith Asalanka (capt)
- 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
Match Schedule
The Indian national cricket team arrived yesterday to participate in two ODI and T20 cricket series, each consisting of three matches. The T20 series will be played on July 27, 28, and 30 at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Kandy, starting at 7:00 PM. The ODI series is scheduled for August 2, 4, and 7 at R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, Colombo, starting at 2:30 PM.
Summary
This series marks a significant moment for several players. Charith Asalanka’s leadership will be closely watched as he steps into the captaincy role. The return of Dinesh Chandimal and the debut of Chamindu Wickramasinghe add excitement to the squad. Fans will be eager to see how the team performs against a strong Indian side.
