Legendary Sri Lankan fast bowler Lasith Malinga was left out by the national selectors for the series against Pakistan and UAE due to his poor performances in the recent times. The curly haired sensation did not make it to the Test and One Day Internationals squads for the ongoing series against India, but things look bright for the veteran as far as the shortest format is concerned.
Malinga has been included in Lion’s squad for the upcoming T20 games against India along with all-rounder Jeevan Mendis. Mendis who played a last T20 game for Sri Lanka in the year of 2013 was blessed with some ray of hope after almost five years of absence. However, Thisara Perera has been named the captain of the team against the Indians.
The Sri Lankan side that toured Pakistan had many major names missing as first choice players were reluctant to visit Lahore for the final T20. However, the Sri Lanka selectors have named a full power 20-man preliminary squad for the T20 series against India which is scheduled for a December 20 start at Cuttack.
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Malinga, Mendis, Dasun Shanaka, Isuru Udana and Vishwa Fernando have all made it successfully to the squad. All the members of the ODI team have also been included except Suranga Lakmal who missed out.
However, the squad will be reduced to 15 before the start of the series. After the first match in Cuttack on December 2, the teams will travel to Indore for the second T20I on 22 and then to Mumbai for the third and final T20I on December 24.
The squad for three T20Is against India:
Thisara Perera(c), Upul Tharanga, Danushka Gunathilaka, Lahiru Thirimanne, Angelo Mathews, Asela Gunaratne, Niroshan Dickwella, Chaturanga de Silva, Akila Dananjaya, Nuwan Pradeep, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dushmantha Chameera, Sachith Pathirana, Kusal Perera, Lasith Malinga, Jeevan Mendis Dasun Shanaka, Isuru Udana and Vishwa Fernando.
