Sri Lanka Announce Squad for ODI Series Against India, Chandimal and Malinga the Notable Absentees
Dec 5, 2017 at 4:07 PM
Despite impressive showing against India in the ongoing Test series, Sri Lanka’s Test skipper Dinesh Chandimal has been dropped from the 15 man ODI squad for the three-match ODI series against India. Chandimal has scored a couple of the fifties in the ongoing Test series so far and struck a fighting century in the ongoing final Test at the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium in New Delhi.
However, Chandimal had to face the consequence especially after his horrendous showing against Pakistan which Sri Lanka lost by a 0-5 margin. He returned with poor scores of 4, 2, 9, 16 and a duck during the series which eventually led to his ouster for the limited overs series against India. Meanwhile veteran fast bowler Lasith Malinga was also omitted from the squad.
He has struggled to come up with the goods since his return after 19 months during the Champions Trophy. He picked up a mere ten wickets in 13 encounters at an unimpressive average of 62.30. He had a poor outing against India when they toured the Island nation and bagged a mere three wickets in the five-match series.
Asela Gunaratne who injured his thumb during the first Test against India at home in July returned to the squad along with fast bowlers Nuwan Pradeep and opener Danushka Gunathilaka. Sadeera Samarawickrama who made his debut against Pakistan retained his place despite a poor showing in UAE and the ongoing Test series against India.
Sri Lanka will be led by their new skipper Thisara Perera after Upul Tharanga was sacked as the limited overs skipper. The Islanders have suffered three 5-0 ODI series defeats this year and will be looking forward to changing their fortunes in the upcoming series. It remains to be seen whether the new captain can bring a change in fortunes for the visitors. The ODI series gets underway at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala on 10th December.
Sri Lanka ODI squad:
Thisara Perera (Captain), Upul Tharanga, Danushka Gunathilaka, Niroshan Dickwella, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Lahiru Thirimanne, Angelo Mathews, Asela Gunaratne, Chathuranga De Silva, Sachith Pathirana, Akila Dananjaya, Jeffrey Vandersay, Dushmantha Chameera, Suranga Lakmal, Nuwan Pradeep