Sri Lanka‘s newly appointed selection committee has introduced eight changes to the squad for the upcoming three-match series against Zimbabwe, following their second-from-bottom finish in the ODI World Cup.
Excluded from the squad are Dhananjaya de Silva, Kusal Perera, Dimuth Karunaratne, Dushan Hemantha, Matheesha Pathirana, Lahiru Kumara, Kasun Rajitha, Chamika Karunaratne, and Angelo Matthews.
Star spin-bowling all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga makes a return (subject to fitness), joined by Pramod Madushan, Janith Liyanage, Nuwanidu Fernando, and Sahan Arachchige.
Avishka Fernando, Jeffrey Vandersay, and Akila Dananjaya made a comeback to the ODI squad under the leadership of newly appointed captain Kusal Mendis. Chief selector Upul Tharanga provided a detailed explanation for the exclusion of Dhananjaya de Silva.
“We feel Dhananjaya de Silva can perform better in the top three, where he has time to bat longer. We’ve spoken to him about this as well and told him that even in club matches he should aim to bat in the top order. So if he is to make it back into the side it’ll be in the top three,” Tharanga said in a statement.
Dhananjaya had a challenging World Cup, recording an average of 20 at a strike rate of 76.08 with the bat and remaining wicketless with an economy rate of nearly seven. Vandersay’s most recent ODI appearance was in early 2023, while Akila Dananjaya has been absent from the Sri Lankan lineup since 2021.
Regarding Akila’s comeback, selector Ajantha Mendis commented:
“In the last couple of seasons Akila Dananjaya has been picking up wickets, and we also need a backup plan for the likes of Maheesh Theekshana and Wanindu Hasaranga. With the next ODI World Cup in 2027 we need to find a way to give players on the fringes more game time. In domestic cricket the opportunity just isn’t there to see him tested like he would be internationally.”
Meanwhile, the batting lineup gains strength with Avishka Fernando’s addition, expected to form a partnership with the dependable Pathum Nissanka at the opening. The middle order will feature Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, and the newly appointed vice-captain Charith Asalanka.
The inaugural match of the three-ODI series is scheduled for Saturday, January 6, in Colombo, followed by three T20Is.
Sri Lanka ODI Team for Zimbabwe series
Kusal Mendis (capt.), Nuwanidu Fernando, Charith Asalanka, Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Sahan Arachchige, Dasun Shanaka, Dilshan Madushanka, Janith Liyanage, Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera,Pramod Madushan, Jeffrey Vandersay, Dunith Wellalage, Akila Dananjaya, and Wanindu Hasaranga (subject to fitness).
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