On Tuesday, 2014 World T20 champion Sri Lanka will face India in the first of 3-match T20I series in India. The first T20I will be played at Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune.
Sri Lanka is currently running into the transition period and recently they are struggling in the shorter formats of cricket. Since the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup, Sri Lanka won only one T20I out of six T20Is. They lost the T20I series against Pakistan at home (by 2-0 in a 2-match series) and against New Zealand in New Zealand (by 2-0 in a 2-match series) while they drew the T20I series against West Indies at home (by 1-1 in a 2-match series).
Lasith Malinga, Angelo Mathews, Rangana Herath and Nuwan Pradeep have been rested for the India series. Asela Gunaratne and Kasun Rajitha, the two new faces have been selected for the India tour. Niroshan Dickwella has been called at the vfinal moment in the squad for injured Tillakaratne Dilshan, who is not available to play the first T20I; however, he has the chance to play the second T20I on 12th February at Ranchi. Dickwella has played 4 Tests and 1 ODI but not played T20I yet.
Many all-rounders have been included in this squad, but the team lacks experience. Sri Lankan cricket board is giving a chance to the new players keeping in mind the upcoming 2016 World T20.
36-years old Dilhara Fernando has been included in the squad and ready to make a comeback into the Sri Lankan team after almost three and a half years. Last time he played for Sri Lanka in July 2012 in Test cricket while he played the last T20I in late 2011. He was recalled into the team due to good form in the domestic cricket.
Sri Lanka probable XI: Dinesh Chandimal (c & wk), Danushka Gunathilaka, Seekkuge Prasanna, Milinda Siriwardana, Chamara Kapugedera, Dasun Shanaka, Thisara Perera, Dilhara Fernando, Sachithra Senanayake, Jeffrey Vandersay, Dushmantha Chameera.