Sri Lanka opener Kusal Perera is in danger of missing the T20 World Cup 2021 due to a hamstring injury which he sustained during Sri Lanka’s third T20 against South Africa on Tuesday in Colombo.
He top-scored for Sri Lanka with 39 but was seen struggling with his hamstring while running between the wickets during his 33-ball stay at the crease. His efforts were not enough as Sri Lanka could manage only 120 runs, which the visitors chased down with 10 wickets in hand inside 15 overs.
Dr Daminda Attanayake, the team physician, told ESPNcricinfo that Kusal Perera’s availability for the T20 World Cup, which will start from October 17, is “on the fence”. He also stated that the medical team will continue to observe and test him this month.
“The injury is a sprinter’s injury, which can be picked up while running between the wickets. Because of the nature of the injury, we can’t do a fast rehabilitation,” Attanayake told ESPNcricinfo.
Kusal Perera, the former white-ball Sri Lanka captain, has had issues with his hamstrings previously as well. He had just come back to international cricket after recovering from covid-19 and had also missed home series against India with an injury.
Allrounder Lahiru Madushanka ruled out of the T20 World Cup; Sri Lanka to name a replacement
While the medical team will continue to assess the injury of Kusal Perera, all-rounder Lahiru Madushanka, is definitely out of the T20 World Cup. He is reported to have fractured his collarbone while fielding in the same match.
Madushanka, who was playing only in his third T20I, hurt himself while making a diving stop in the outfield. He landed hard on his left shoulder and was seen reaching for it in discomfort immediately. Madushanka was named in Sri Lanka’s squad for the World Cup; the selectors will now be needed to name a replacement for the all-rounder.
Dasun Shanaka’s side will meet Ireland, Namibia and the Netherlands in ‘Round 1’, which is the qualifying round. The top two teams from this group, and four from two groups, will proceed to the Super 12 stage.
Sri Lanka Squad for T20 World Cup 2021: Dasun Shanaka (capt), 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, Lahiru Madushanka, Maheesh Theekshana
Reserves: Lahiru Kumara, Binura Fernando, Akila Dananjaya, Pulina Tharanga