Massive blow for Sri Lanka ahead of India T20Is as Dushmantha Chameera gets ruled out

Sri Lanka Cricket Team suffered a massive blow ahead of their much-awaited limited-overs series against India. Both teams are currently preparing for the three-match T20I series, starting on July 27, followed by a three-match ODI series, which will kick off on August 2.

Ahead of the first T20I against Team India, Sri Lanka was struck by a massive blow, as their star fast bowler Dushmantha Chameera has been ruled out of the upcoming home series. Azzam Ameen, a Colombo-based journalist, claimed that Chameera won't’ be able to take part in the India series.

Dushmantha Chameera ruled out of the white-ball series against India

However, he has not confirmed whether Chameera was ruled out of the both T20I and ODI series but revealed that an injury forced the Sri Lankan speedster to be out of action against India. But Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) is yet to make any official statement regarding Chameera.

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It is a big blow to the Sri Lankan team, as Chameera is one of their key bowlers, and the Indian team is already landed with a strong batting line-up, so it was not something the hosts were expecting ahead of their crucial limited-overs series at home soil.

The 32-year-old pacer is part of the Kandy Falcons team in the recently concluded Lanka Premier League 2024 (LPL 2024) in Sri Lanka. The Kandy Falcons failed to qualify for the LPL 2024 finals, as they were thrashed by the recently crowned Jaffna Kings in the Qualifier 2.

Matheesha Pathirana will have a new bowling partner for India series

Chameera also missed crucial matches for the Kandy Falcons in the LPL 2024 due to an injury. Notably, the Sri Lankan pacer missed the 2023 ODI World Cup and was also unavailable for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) during IPL 2024 and could play only two matches in the T20 World Cup 2024.

The right-arm pacer has now ruled out of the India series with the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) board yet to announce his replacement. Chameera has so far taken 55 wickets in 55 matches in T20I cricket. His absence will challenge the Sri Lankan bowling attack, and Matheesha Pathirana will have a new partner for the upcoming home series against India.

The Islanders will now be looking for a fresh start after a horrific campaign in the T20 World Cup 2024, where they could manage only one match from their four group matches and knocked out of the tournament. Their opponents for the home series won the T20 World Cup 2024 last month.

Notably, the three-match T20I series will be played at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium in Pallekele on July 27, 28, and 30, respectively, while the three matches of the ODI series will be played on August 2, 4, and 7 at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.

Here’s the Sri Lanka squad for the T20I series against India:

Charith Asalanka (C), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Janith Perera, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka, Maheesh Theekshana, Chamindu Wickramasinghe, Matheesha Pathirana, Nuwan Thushara, Dushmantha Chameera, Binura Fernando, Wanindu Hasaranga, and Dunith Wellalage.