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Dasun Shanaka to lead Sri Lanka in T20I series against India, injured Avishka Fernando ruled out

Written by N Krishnamurthy

Sri Lanka on Monday announced an 18-man squad for the 3-match T20I series against India which will be played in Lucknow and Dharamsala from February 24 to 27. While Dasun Shnaka will continue to lead the side, Injured Avishka Fernando, Nuwan Thushara, and Ramesh Medis have been ruled out.

Charith Asalanka will be Shanaka’s deputy in the 3-match series while the like of Kusal Mendis, Pathum Nissanka, Dinesh Chandimal and Danushka Gunathilaka are part of the squad.

The Minister of Youth and Sports Namal Rajapaksa approved the below-given squad, the Sri Lanka Cricket said in a statement.

Sri Lanka are heading to India with a strong spin-bowling arsenal led by Wanindu Hasaranga, who will play for Royal Challengers Bangalore after being bought at the mega auction for Rs 10.75 crore.

Mahesh Theekshana and Jeffrey Vandersay along with off-spinner Ashian Daniel (who will be part of the squad subject to ministerial approval) are part of the spin-bowling attack.

Sri Lanka are heading to India after losing a 5-match T20I series 4-1 in Australia.

Last week, India announced their 18-man T20I squad for the upcoming series. While Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant have been given bio-bubble breaks, the likes of Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja return to the side.

Rohit Sharma will lead the Indian side that returned to the No. 1 spot in the ICC T20I Rankings after they clean-swept West Indies 3-0 in a recently-concluded series in Kolkata.

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N Krishnamurthy