Blow for Sri Lanka! Binura Fernando hospitalized ahead of India T20Is, Ramesh Mendis named as standby player

Sri Lanka pacer Binura Fernando has been ruled out of the upcoming first T20I against India, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) confirmed on Friday (July 26).

The left-arm pacer has been hospitalized due to a chest infection. Recent media reports from Sri Lanka stated that Binura Fernando was suffering from flu and his chance of playing the first game was extremely low. SLC has now confirmed the news, stating that he had to be admitted to the hospital as well.

Sri Lanka have also added spin-bowling allrounder Ramesh Mendis to the squad as a standby player. Mendis has played two T20Is so far with both of his appearances coming in 2021. He last played for Sri Lanka in 2023 during the Colombo Test against Pakistan.

"Binura Fernando has been hospitalized as the player is suffering from a chest infection. Ramesh Mendis has been brought into the squad as a standby player," stated SLC.

🚨Binura Fernando has been hospitalized as the player is suffering from a chest infection.

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Missing Binura Fernando will definitely be a big blow for Sri Lanka. The fast bowler was in fine form in the Lanka Premier League earlier this month. He picked up 13 wickets while maintaining a brilliant economy rate of 6.81.

Sri Lanka to begin a new journey:

The series against India will mark the beginning of a new journey for Sri Lanka in T20Is. A new captain will be leading them in the series. Charith Asalanka recently replaced Wanindu Hasaranga as the T20 captain after the latter stepped down from the post this month following Sri Lanka's poor show at the T20 World Cup.

The upcoming series will be an opportunity for Sri Lanka to bounce back after the poor campaign in the World Cup. The Islanders had bowed out of the competition at the group stage and will be looking to do well against India.