Sri Lanka Names Charith Asalanka Captain For T20I Series Against India, Chandimal Back

Charith Asalanka has been appointed as the captain of Sri Lanka's T20I squad for the upcoming three-match series against India, starting later this week. This announcement was made on Tuesday, July 23.

Asalanka replaces Wanindu Hasaranga, who stepped down after Sri Lanka's early exit in the T20 World Cup 2024 group stage last month. The change in leadership comes as part of a broader team reshuffle following their disappointing performance.

Charith Asalanka (captain), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Perera (wicketkeeper), Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis (wicketkeeper), Dinesh Chandimal (wicketkeeper), Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Chamindu Wickramasinghe, Matheesha Pathirana, Nuwan Thushara, Dushmantha Chameera.

Angelo Mathews was among four players dropped from the squad following the World Cup. Dhananjaya de Silva, Sadeera Samarawickrama and Dilshan Madushanka were also omitted from the team.

Replacing these players are senior stars Dinesh Chandimal, Avishka Fernando and Kusal Janith Perera. They have been recalled to the side after impressive performances in the Lanka Premier League (LPL).

Avishka Fernando emerged as the highest run-scorer for Sri Lanka in the recently concluded LPL 2024. He scored 374 runs from 10 innings with five half-centuries. Perera also had a strong showing with 296 runs in 8 innings, while Chandimal accumulated 287 runs in 10 innings.

The squad also includes uncapped batter Chamindu Wickramasinghe. The 21-year-old had a decent LPL season, scoring 186 runs in 6 innings. Overall, he has scored 282 runs in 25 T20 matches with two fifties and a strike rate of 112.79.

Squad Composition

The rest of the squad remains largely unchanged. Specialist batters include Asalanka, Wickramasinghe, Pathum Nissanka and Avishka Fernando. Wicketkeeping duties will be shared by Chandimal, Kusal Mendis and Perera.

The all-rounders in the team are Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka, Hasaranga and Dunith Wellalage. The bowling attack features speedsters Dushmanta Chameera, Nuwan Thusara and Matheesha Pathirana.

Maheesh Theekshana will serve as the specialist spinner for the series. The three-match series kicks off on Saturday (July 27) at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Kandy. The second and third T20Is will be played on Sunday (July 28) and Tuesday (July 30) respectively.

Following these matches, action will move to Colombo for a three-match ODI series against India. This series is crucial for Sri Lanka as they look to rebuild and gain momentum ahead of future tournaments.