Pathirana and Madushanka ruled out
Two more Sri Lankan fast bowlers have been ruled out of the ODI series against India, with Mathisha Pathirana suffering a shoulder injury and Dilshan Madushanka suffering a hamstring injury. Sri Lanka’s squad also does not include Dushmantha Chameera, who is out due to illness, and Nuwan Thushara with a thumb fracture.
Both these players were also ruled out of the T20 series. Team manager Mahinda Halangoda confirmed to ESPNcricinfo that for the time being Sri Lanka has named uncapped right-arm fast bowler Mohammed Shiraz in the squad. Later in the afternoon, a statement issued by Sri Lanka Cricket confirmed that another uncapped right-arm fast bowler Ishan Malinga has also been included in the squad. Three players have also been put on standby: batsman Kusal Perera, fast bowler Pramod Madushan and spinner Jeffrey Vandersay.
Sri Lankan fast bowlers Matheesha Pathirana and Dilshan Madushanka have been ruled out of the ODI series against India due to injuries. Pathirana sustained a shoulder injury, while Madushanka is recovering from a hamstring strain. Their absence is a significant blow to the Sri Lankan team, which will now need to rely on their remaining pace attack for the series.
Both players were expected to play key roles against India, and their injuries come as a setback to the team’s plans. The Sri Lankan cricket board has yet to announce their replacements.
Pathirana injured while fielding in third T20I
“Mathisha has suffered a shoulder injury and since it is the same problem he had during the World Cup last year, he has decided not to take the risk,” Halangoda said. Pathirana was injured while fielding in the third T20I at Pallekele and left the field before bowling a single ball in that match. Meanwhile, Madushanka suffered a hamstring injury during training, Halangoda said.
He played only one match in the T20I series. Both Pathirana and Madushanka were expected to be in the playing XI for the first ODI against India on Friday. Sri Lanka have lost their last 10 matches against India across formats.
Weakened team in T20I series
Sri Lanka fielded a weakened team in the T20 International (T20I) series as they did not have the services of Dushmantha Chameera (illness) and Nuwan Thushara (thumb fracture). Both Pathirana and Madushanka were almost certain to play the first ODI at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Friday (August 2).
One of their replacements, 29-year-old Sharij has played 47 competitive 50-over matches and has 80 wickets to his name, including a career-best haul of 6/21, which he took in his most recent match for Barfar against Kurunegala. The 23-year-old Malinga has played seven List-A matches since his debut in 2022 and has taken 12 wickets in the format at an average of 24.16.
Sri Lanka, under new skipper Charith Asalanka, suffered a 3-0 whitewash in the T20I series. He will also lead the side in the ODIs.
Dushmantha Chameera out due to illness
The hosts are already without Dushmantha Chameera due to illness and Nuwan Thushara due to a thumb fracture. Both players were absent from the T20Is as well. Sri Lanka have added uncapped right-arm pacer Mohammed Shiraz to the squad. The team plans to announce the inclusion of another pacer later on Thursday (August 1).
Binura Fernando, who has not played any ODIs since mid-2021, will not be considered as he is recovering from a recent bout of flu.
Team manager Mahinda Halangode said
Matheesha has injured his shoulder and since it is the same problem he had during the World Cup last year, he has decided not to risk it,” said team manager Mahinda Halangode. Pathirana suffered the injury while fielding during the third T20I in Pallekele and soon after left the field without bowling a single ball.
Halangoda informed that Madushanka suffered a hamstring injury during training, he played only once in the T20 series. Both Pathirana and Madushanka were expected to be part of the starting XI for the first ODI against India on Friday. Sri Lanka have lost their last 10 matches against India across formats and lost the T20 series 0-3.
Conclusion
Sri Lanka pacers Dilshan Madushanka and Matheesha Pathirana have been ruled out of the upcoming ODI series against India due to injuries. Madushanka is believed to have suffered a hamstring injury, while Pathirana has a shoulder injury. As a result, fast bowlers Mohammed Shiraz and Ishan Malinga have been added to the squad, according to reports.
Team manager Mahinda Halangoda told ESPNcricinfo, “Matheesha has a shoulder injury and since it is the same problem he had during the World Cup last year, he has decided not to take the risk.” On the other hand, Madushanka suffered a hamstring injury during training. The left-arm pacer played just one match in the T20 series as well.
