T20 World cup 2021: Sri Lanka Drop Injured Lahiru Madushanka, Five New Players Added to WC squad

Sri Lanka have added 5 more players to their original squad for the upcoming Men’s T20 world cup 2021 which will be held in the UAE and Oman between October 17 and November 14.

The five new names included in their original squad are Pathum Nissanka, Minod Bhanuka, Ashen Bandara, Lakshan Sandakan, and Ramesh Mendis. While, Lahiru Madushanka, who was previously named in the T20 World Cup mix, will not travel with the team as he is recovering from an injury.

With Kusal Perera’s return after an injury, Minod Bhanuka, who was keeping the wickets in Perera’s absence, also misses out.

Sri Lanka have added five more names to their original ICC Men's #T20WorldCup 2021 squad 👀

Find out 👇https://t.co/F0ylMpkn9k

— ICC (@ICC) October 1, 2021

21-year-old off-spinner Maheesh Theekshana, who made his T20I debut in the first match against South Africa and dismissed Heinrich Klaasen, has been included. The youngster was also impressive in his ODI debut earlier this week, picking up a four-wicket haul against the Proteas.

One of the other spinners making the squad is left-armer Praveen Jayawickrama which is surprising as he made his international debut earlier this year and Wanindu Hasaranga we well.

The Sri-Lankan side will be lead by Dasun Shanaka as the team begins their campaign on 18 October against Namibia in Abu Dhabi. Being in the same group the Lankans will also be playing Ireland and Netherlands ahead in the tournament.

Sir-Lanka had a huge blow after their 3 vastly experienced players Niroshan Dickwella, Kusal Mendis, and Danushka Gunathilaka were banned for a year for breaking the Covid-19 protocols on their tour of England in July.

Sri-Lanka Squad: Dasun Shanaka (c), Dhananjaya De Silva, Kusal Janith Perera, Dinesh Chandimal, Avishka Fernando, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Charith Asalanka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Kamindu Mendis, Chamika Karunaratne, Nuwan Pradeep, Dushmantha Chameera, Praveen Jayawickrama, Maheesh Theekshana, Pathum Nissanka, Minod Bhanuka, Ashen Bandara, Lakshan Sandakan, and Ramesh Mendis.

Moreover, they have also named four reserves, who will travel with the squad as injury cover – Lahiru Kumara, Binura Fernando, Akila Dananjaya, and Pulina Tharanga.