Kusal Perera
Kusal Perera. (Photo: Twitter)

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has named Kusal Perera the new Sri Lankan captain for the upcoming ODI series against Bangladesh and has recalled Kusal Mendis and made him Perera’s deputy. However in a surprising move, senior players like Dimuth Karunaratne, Angelo Mathews, and Dinesh Chandimal.

Kusal Perera becomes the newest Sri Lanka ODI captain (Photo- Getty)
Kusal Perera becomes the newest Sri Lanka ODI captain (Photo- Getty)

This decision comes in line with what was reported earlier that the Sri Lankan board was looking in a new direction keeping the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 in India in mind. Sri Lanka’s new selection committee – headed by Pramodya Wickramasinghe – and coach Mickey Arthur have signaled they are seeking to aggressively develop a fresh set of limited-overs players by choosing a younger lot.

Kusal Perera To Captain Sri Lanka In Any Format In International Cricket For The Very First Time

Kusal Perera has been seemingly rewarded with the Sri Lankan captaincy as he has achieved a good level of consistency in his batting. He averaged 43.06 with a strike rate of almost 100 in 2019. He becomes the 9th ODI captain of the Sri Lankan team in the last five years with others being- Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Lasith Malinga, Thisara Perera, Upul Tharanga, Lahiru Thirimanne, and Chamara Kapugedara.

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Kusal Mendis named ODI vice-captain (Photo- Getty)
Kusal Mendis named ODI vice-captain (Photo- Getty)

Across the 18 players named, only 33-year-old Isuru Udana is older than 31, and just three players are above 30.

Angelo Mathews (Photo- Getty)
Angelo Mathews (Photo: Getty Images)

ESPNCricinfo reported that the dropping of Angelo Mathews was seemed to be controversial given that he was the Player of the Match in the second-to-last match he had played – against West Indies in March last year – for his four wickets. He had also been one of Sri Lanka’s best batters at the 2019 World Cup and had averaged 52.50 with the bat in 2018, and 63.66 in 2017.

Avishka Fernando Misses Out Due To Failing A Fitness Test

Avishka Fernand (Photo- Getty)
Avishka Fernand (Photo- Getty)

The selectors wanted to include Avishka Fernando in the Sri Lanka squad but he failed a fitness test which, according to the strict selection policy put in place by Arthur, ruled him out of contention. Pathum Nissanka and Ashen Bandara – both 22 – are in the squad, following decent maiden series in the Caribbean in February.

Sri Lanka squad for three ODIs against Bangladesh:

Kusal Perera (C), Kusal Mendis (VC), Danushka Gunathilaka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Pathum Nissanka, Dasun Shanaka, Ashen Bandara, Wanindu Hasaranga, Isuru Udana, Akila Dananjaya, Niroshan Dickwella, Dushmantha Chameera, Ramesh Mendis, Asitha Fernando, Lakshan Sandakan, Chamika Karunaratne, Binura Fernando, Shiran Fernando

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