According to the most recent development on the Sri Lanka World Cup squad, pacer Dushmantha Chameera and leg spinner Wanindu Hasaranga are unlikely to be chosen in the cricket squad owing to injury, while Dushan Hemantha and Lahiru Kumara may be included in the team for the marquee event in India.
Wanindu Hasaranga, who was injured during practice for the second time, needs to time recover from the injury. He was scheduled to get an MRI on Friday, and there is a very slim chance that he will be added to the squad for the World Cup.
Meanwhile, Dushmantha Chameera is still recovering, thus paceman Lahiru Kumara will likely have an opportunity to join the team.
Hasaranga can trouble opposition batters on slow surfaces in sub-continental conditions and he is also capable of being used higher up the order according to the situation. The spinner was a brilliant performer for Sri Lanka in the ODI World Cup qualifiers and could be a crucial miss for the team in the ODI World Cup.
Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are the only teams yet to announce their respective squads for the World Cup. The International Cricket Council (ICC)’s deadline for the final submission of teams is September 28, as both teams are sweating on the fitness of their key players going into the World Cup.
The Sri Lankan team is likely to leave for India on September 26 with their first warm-up match scheduled for September 27 against Afghanistan.
Dasun Shanaka’s captaincy and performance came under the scanner following their humiliating defeat against India in the Asia Cup final and they will look to turn things around in the upcoming World Cup in India.
Maheesh Theekshana and Dilshan Madushanka have already been given the go-ahead to be included in the squad after recovering from their respective injury. It was reported that right-arm leg spinner Dushan Hemantha, and bowling all-rounder Chamika Karunaratne might be included in the team as the standby players going for the World Cup.
The injuries to the key players have forced a change in plans for the Sri Lankan team going into the World Cup. They will rely more on their experienced players to deliver the goods in the mega event, while the form of Dunith Wellalage, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanaka, and Matheesha Pathirana would be encouraging for the team going to India.
