Sri Lankan fast bowlers Dilshan Madushanka and Matheesha Pathirana have been ruled out of the ODI series against India starting on 02 August. Sri Lanka are in a spot of bother, having already lost their spearhead Dushmantha Chameera and Nuwan Thushara to injuries before the commencement of the T20I series.
Uncapped pacers Mohamed Shiraz and Eshan Malinga have been roped into the ODI squad as replacements. Moreover, Kusal Janith Perera, Pramod Madushan and Jeffrey Vandersay have been added to the Sri Lanka ODI squad as standbys.
Madushanka suffered a Grade 2, left hamstring injury during a fielding session while Pathirana endured a mild sprain on his right shoulder while diving to take a catch during the third T20I on July 30 at Kandy, said Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) in a media release.
Shiraz has fared well in List A cricket with 80 wickets to his name in 47 games at an impressive economy of 4.57. The 23-year-old Malinga debuted in July 2022, with 12 wickets in seven games at an economy rate of 5.80. The uncapped duo would look to make the most of this opportunity against India, and look to consolidate their stature in the pecking order with Sri Lanka having been regularly plagued with injuries in the fast bowling department in the recent past.
🚨 Matheesha Pathirana and Dilshan Madushanka will not take part in the ODI series as the players have sustained injuries. 🚨
Dilshan Madushanka suffered a left hamstring injury (Grade 2), the player sustained during fielding at practices.
Pathirana has suffered a mild sprain on… pic.twitter.com/t5hqtTPdKC— Sri Lanka Cricket 🇱🇰 (@OfficialSLC) August 1, 2024