Sri Lanka have dropped Test skipper Dinesh Chandimal from the 15-man squad for the upcoming three-match One-Day International series against India.
The right-handed batsman has played well in the ongoing Test series, scoring a couple of the fifties and a fighting century but has probably paid the price for his horror show in the five-match ODI series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates which Sri Lanka had lost 5-0. Chandimal had registered scores of 4, 2, 19, 16 and 0 in the five games.
Another notable absentee from the squad is senior fast-bowler Lasith Malinga who has struggled to deliver on expected since returning after a 19-month ODI layoff during the Champions Trophy. The 34-year old has managed to pick up just ten wickets in 13 games at a paltry average of 62.30 since his comeback including the poor series against India where he took only three wickets in as many games.
Meanwhile, allrounder Asela Gunaratne, fast-bowler Nuwan Pradeep and opening batsman Danushka Gunathilaka have returned to the side. Gunaratne has been out of international action since injuring his thumb in the first Test against India at home in July this year. Opening batsman Sadeera Samarawickrama, who made his debut in the Pakistan series, has also retained his place despite flopping in UAE.
The Islanders will be led by Thisara Perera who has replaced Upul Tharanga as Sri Lanka’s limited-overs skipper. The visitors will be desperately hoping that their fortunes changes under a new captain. Sri Lanka have suffered three 5-0 ODI series loss this year and will be keen to end the year on a high.The ODI series will get underway on December 10 in Dharamsala.
Sri Lanka ODI squad:
Thisara Perera (captain), Upul Tharanga, Danushka Gunathilaka, Niroshan Dickwella, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Lahiru Thirimanne, Angelo Mathews, Asela Gunaratne, Chathuranga de Silva, Sachith Pathirana, Akila Dananjaya, Jeffrey Vandersay, Dushmantha Chameera, Suranga Lakmal, Nuwan Pradeep
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