‌Sri Lanka’s injury woes deepens as Pathirana and Madushanka ruled out of India ODI series

08/01/2024

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A few days after Nuwan Thusara and Dushmantha Chameera were declared unavailable, the Sri Lankan camp has faced more setbacks in the form of Dilshan Madushanka and Matheesha Pathirana. Four of their premier fast bowlers have been ruled out for the ODI series against India starting August 2.

The Sri Lanka Cricket Board took to social media to report the additional injuries for the bilateral ODI series against India. Pathirana injured his right shoulder while attempting to take a catch during the third T20I against the Men in Blue in Kandy on July 30 while Madushanka suffered a Grade 2 left hamstring injury during a fielding practice session. Although the former returned to bowl in the final T20I of the series following a break, the medical report suggests Pathirana’s unavailability in the upcoming assignment.

“Dilshan Madushanka suffered a left hamstring injury (Grade 2), the player sustained during fielding at practices. Pathirana has suffered a mild sprain on his right shoulder while diving to take a catch during the Third T20 match vs. India.”

Mohammed Shiraz and Eshan Malinga are the two replacements made by the regulating body with Kusal Janith Perera, Pramod Madushan and Jeffrey Vandersay added as reserves to the original 16-man squad.

”The Cricket Selectors have brought in Mohammed Shiraz and Eshan Malinga as replacements for the above two.”

Shiraz, whose List A numbers read 80 wickets in 47 games at an economy of 4.57 is yet to make his national debut. Unlike him, Ehsan made his debut on 12 July 2022 and has bucketed twelve scalps from seven matches so far.

Sri Lanka was on the receiving end of a whitewash in the three-match T20I series as the captain-coach duo of Suryakumar Yadav and Gautam Gambhir tasted success in their first international assignment.

Sri Lanka updated ODI squad: Charith Asalanka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Kamindu Mendis, Janith Liyanage, Nishan Madushka, Chamika Karunaratne, Asitha Fernando, Maheesh Theekshana, Ehsan Malinga, Akila Dananjaya, Mohammed Shiraz

Standby: Kusal Janith Perera, Pramod Madushan, Jeffrey Vandersay