Sri Lanka is facing a string of misfortunes ahead of their T20I clashes with India. Just hours after confirming that spearhead Dushmantha Chameera would miss the full white-ball series, the team lost Nuwan Thushara to a fractured left thumb, an injury SLC says occurred during Wednesday night's practice session.
Setbacks continued for Sri Lanka even before the start of the T20I series against India. Hours after it was confirmed that pace spearhead Dushmantha Chameera would miss the whole white-ball series, Nuwan Thushara was ruled out of the three-match T20I series due to a fractured left thumb. Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) stated that the right-arm bowler sustained the injury during a practice session on Wednesday night.
Due to a left thumb fracture sustained while fielding during a recent practice session, Nuwan Thushara will miss the upcoming T20I series. SLC confirmed the injury via a medical report and has named Dilshan Madushanka as his replacement. Given that the 29-year-old right-armer was one of Sri Lanka's most effective T20I bowlers this year, his absence is a major disadvantage.
In addition to Thushara, the team will be without veteran pacer Chameera, who is struggling with bronchitis and a respiratory infection. Asitha Fernando has been brought in to bolster the bowling attack. The full T20I squad for the series against India consists of Charith Asalanka (C), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Janith Perera (WK), Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis (WK), Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Chamindu Wickramasinghe, Matheesha Pathirana, Madushanka, Fernando, and Binura Fernando.
India's tour of Sri Lanka begins this Saturday, July 27, starting with a three-match T20I series at the Pallekele International Stadium. The action then shifts to the R Premadasa Stadium for a three-match ODI series starting August 2. The T20Is are scheduled for July 27, 28, and 30, while the ODIs will take place on August 2, 4, and 7.
Both teams are entering this series under new leadership. Sanath Jayasuriya, the legendary all-rounder, is taking over as interim head coach for Sri Lanka. On the Indian side, Gautam Gambhir steps into his first head coaching role, succeeding Rahul Dravid after India's T20 World Cup triumph.
The last time Rahul Dravid led India in a white-ball series in Sri Lanka was July 2021, with Shikhar Dhawan captaining the side. That tour ended in a stalemate of sorts, with India taking the ODI series 2-1 and Sri Lanka winning the T20Is by the same margin.