Sri Lankan team is all set to travel to Indian shores on Wednesday for their upcoming tour against the Men in blue. The series against the Islanders will comprise of a trio of tests, ODIs and T20s with the tourney beginning from 16th November in Eden gardens where teams will go head to head in the first test.
The selectors have announced the squad to take on the world”s no. 1 Test side in their own backyard, which has raised a few eyebrows. The biggest surprise being the omission of Sri Lanka”s one of the better batsman Kusal Mendis. Fast bowler Nuwan Pradeep and opener Kaushal Silva were also ditched from the team. Senior batsman Angelo Mathews who was injured for their UAE tour makes a welcome return to the squad.
Young Dasun Shanaka and mystery tweaker Dhananjaya de Silva have also been named as a part of the 15-member squad. Even though Kusal Mendis struggled against Pakistan in the UAE, it was a little surprising to see him left out after one bad series.
Sri Lanka who was humiliated 9-0 in all the three formats in their own conditions by India not too long ago will once again have their task cut out against the home team. Although going by their recent form, it will be tough for the Islanders to even compete in the upcoming series but a 2-0 whitewash of a good Pakistan side in the test series in UAE should act as a decent enough motivator for the Lankans to do something special in India.
Full squad: Dinesh Chandimal (captain), Dimuth Karunaratne, Dhananjaya de Silva, Sadeera Samarawickrema, Angelo Mathews, Lahiru Thirimanne, Rangana Herath, Suranga Lakmal, Dilruwan Perera, Lahiru Gamage, Lakshan Sandakan, Vishwa Fernando, Dasun Shanaka, Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Roshen Silva
