Hasaranga, Mendis and Theekshana to miss today’s game

by Rex Clementine

International cricket these days have become so hectic that Sri Lanka played a T-20 International in Melbourne on Sunday and four days later have crossed continents and will be playing another in Lucknow today. On Sunday their opponents were world champions Australia and on Thursday it will be world’s number one ranked team India skippered by one of the deadliest batsmen in world cricket – Rohit Sharma.

Sri Lanka have been hampered by injury woes with both Kusal Mendis and Maheesh Theekshana suffering hamstring injuries. Mendis was supposed to go for a scan yesterday and the prospects of the in form batsman being ruled out of the series is cause for concern for the tourists. Theekshana should be fine for the last two games in Dharmashala, one of world’s most beautiful grounds.

But the biggest worry the Sri Lankans have is that world’s number one ranked bowler in T-20 cricket Wanindu Hasaranga is still in Canberra after returning a second PCR test positive for COVID. Skipper Dasun Shanaka said that the team is looking at the possibility of having him for the last two games but the logistics could prove to be a nightmare. The second game starts on Saturday and although Hasaranga could get a direct flight to Delhi from Canberra, reaching Dharamshala in time will be tough as flights to the destination are limited.

India too have their own fitness worries with Suryakumar Yadav ruled out of the series with a fractured hand. Deepak Chahar has been ruled out with a hamstring injury.

India have not named any replacements for the two players. But the hosts are buoyed by the fact that Jasprit Bumrah is returning to the side. The fast bowler has been named vice-captain.

Having just finished a competitive series in Australia, the Indian T-20s will be a good exposure for a young Sri Lankan side in a year where they have to play World Cup qualifiers.

India (From): Rohit Sharma (C), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shreyas Iyer, Sanju Samson, Ishan Kishan, Venkatesh Iyer, Deepak Chahar, Ravindra Jadeja, Yuzvendra Chahal, Ravi Bishnoi, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohd. Siraj, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Harshal Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Avesh Khan.

Sri Lanka (From) Dasun Shanaka (Captain) Charith Asalanka, Pathum Nissanka, Dinesh Chandimal, Danushka Gunathilaka, Kamil Mishara, Janith Liyanage, Chamika Karunaratne, Dushmantha Chameera, Lahiru Kumara, Binura Fernando, Shiran Fernando, Jeffrey Vandersay, Praveen Jayawickrama and Ashian Daniel.