Sri Lanka picked up fast bowler Dilhara Fernando for the three-match series against India, which begins on February 9. Dilhara last played for Sri Lanka in mid-2012. Leg spinner allrounder Seekkuge Prasanna also makes a comeback.
T20 captain Lasith Malinga is not selected for the series as he has been suffering from an injury that kept him out of the tour to New Zealand. It is learnt that Malinga will need a fortnight to regain his full fitness. Test and ODI captain Angelo Mathews is nursing a groin strain hat largely prevented him from bowling in New Zealand. However, his injury is less severe than Malinga’s though, as Sri Lanka Cricket is expecting that he will be available for the Asia Cup at the end of the month.
Sri Lanka last played a T20 tournament earlier this month, which they lost 2-0. Among the others missing out from that squad are batsmen Shehan Jayasuriya and Kithruruwan Vithanage, pacers Suranga Lakmal and Isuru Udana. On the other hand batsman Kusal Perera, who was suspended for testing positive for a banned substance, is not pick for the series.
Spinner Rangana Herath and fast bowler Nuwan Pradeep were also not considered for selection due to injury.
Squad: Dinesh Chandimal (capt), Tillakaratne Dilshan, Seekuge Prasanna, Milinda Siriwardana, Danushka Gunathilaka, Thisara Perera, Dasun Shanaka, Asela Gunaratne, Chamara Kapugedera, Dushmantha Chameera, Dilhara Fernando, Kasun Rajitha, Binura Fernando, Sachithra Senanayake, Jeffrey Vandersay
In: Dilhara Fernando, Seekuge Prasanna, Dasun Shanaka, Asela Gunaratne, Kasun Rajitha, Binura Fernando
Out: Shehan Jayasuriya, Nuwan Kulasekara, Suranga Lakmal, Angelo Mathews, Isuru Udana, Kithuruwan Vithanage, Lasith Malinga, Kusal Perera