Despite being fully fit, right-handed batsman Asela Gunaratne is unlikely to join the Sri Lanka squad for the remainder of the ongoing Test series in India. The 31-year old had fractured his left thumb in July during the first Test against India in Galle and was subsequently ruled out of the entire series. He was also not in the team for the tour of Pakistan. However, he was declared fully fit recently but is unlikely to join the squad for the last two games due to lack of match fitness.
Confirming the news, chairman of selectors Graeme Labrooy insisted that the selectors did not want to rush the allrounder. At the same time, Labrooy confirmed that Gunaratne would be included in the squad for the three-match One-Day International series.
“He has played two games now since the injury,” Labrooy told Cricbuzz. “He bowled, batted and fielded and has come good. We discussed about him, but feel this is not the moment to bring him back, but he will be certainly back for the ODIs,” he added.
Gunaratne, who plays for Sri Lanka Army featured in an inter-regiment game last week and recently played competitive cricket for Army SC this week.
Labrooy went on to say that there was no point in sending Gunaratne to India to warm the bench before insisting that the selectors would take the final call as per the requirement of the team management.
“There’s no point of sending him to India and making him to sit on the bench. We are better off getting him to play some competitive games. We will also see what’s the requirement of team management, leave it to them and then make a call,” he said.
Gunaratne’s absence, meanwhile, is a big blow for the Islanders. Since making his international debut last year, Gunaratne has been one of Sri Lanka’s most important players, and his haul of four trophies at Sri Lanka Cricket’s Annual Cricket Awards proved that.
He was named the best batsman in T20Is as well as the best allrounder in both T20Is and ODIs. He had also claimed the country’s most promising cricketer award.
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