Kusals take over as selectors name new look ODI outfit

SLC negotiating with India to play 5 T-20s

by Rex Clementine

After weeks of speculation, Kusal Janith Perera has taken over as captain of Sri Lanka’s ODI team with Kusal Mendis named as his deputy. This is after six seniors were overlooked for ODIs as Sri Lanka are rebuilding for the 2023 World Cup.

Isuru Udana returns to the side having missed the tour of West Indies. Shiran Fernando, a 28-year-old quick has been named in a Sri Lankan squad for the first time.

Chamika Karunaratne, who came in as injury replacement to Lahiru Kumara during the Bangladesh series has been named in the 18 member ODI squad.

Sri Lanka will tour Bangladesh later this month followed by a tour of England where they will play ODIs and T-20s. In July, they are expected to host India for three ODIs and five T-20s.

SLC sources said that the board is negotiating with the Board of Control for Cricket in India to play five T-20s instead of three games.

India are expected to send a second string team as a Test series involving England would be taking place in the UK at the same time.

This tour was scheduled to take place last year but was postponed due to COVID. SLC was depending heavily on the tour to make huge profits but now that leading Indian stars like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah and others will not feature in the series, their revenues will be significantly less. That is why SLC is requesting BCCI to increase two more T-20s.

Sri Lanka ODI Squad:

Kusal Janith Perera (Captain), Kusal Mendis (Vice-Captain), Danushka Gunathilaka, Dhananjaya De Silva, Pathum Nissanka, Dasun Shanaka, Ashen Bandara, Wanindu Hasaranga, Isuru Udana, Akila Dananjaya, Niroshan Dickwella, Dushmantha Chameera, Ramesh Mendis, Asitha Fernando, Lakshan Sandakan, Chamika Karunaratne, Binura Fernando and Shiran Fernando.