Matheesha Pathirana and Dilshan Madushanka ruled out of India ODIs; Sri Lanka in disarray

The Sri Lanka national cricket team has suffered a major setback ahead of the upcoming three-match ODI series against the Indian national cricket team on home soil. Sri Lanka fast bowlers Matheesha Pathirana and Dilshan Madushanka have been ruled out of the series due to their respective injuries.

Matheesha Pathirana injured his shoulder while fielding during the third and final T20I match against India in Pallekele on Tuesday, July 30. The right-arm fast bowler had left the field soon and didn’t bowl a single delivery in that match. The Lankan team registered an unwanted 0-3 loss in the recent T20I series.

Meanwhile, Dilshan Madushanka sustained a hamstring injury during a practice session, according to the latest reports. This adds to Sri Lanka’s fast-bowling woes, as Dushmantha Chameera and Binura Fernando missed the T20I series due to illness, and Nuwan Thushara was sidelined after breaking his fingers.

Matheesha Pathirana And Dilshan Madushanka Ruled Out of India ODIs

Newswire LK reported that Matheesha Pathirana and Dilshan Madushanka have been ruled out of the ODI series against India due to their respective injuries.

"Sri Lanka has been hit with a major setback as fast bowlers Matheesha Pathirana and Dilshan Madushanka have been ruled out of the upcoming ODI series against India due to injuries," wrote the caption.

Sri Lanka has been hit with a major setback as fast bowlers Matheesha Pathirana and Dilshan Madushanka have been ruled out of the upcoming ODI series against India due to injuries. pic.twitter.com/zZXpxPcPYK

— NewsWire 🇱🇰 (@NewsWireLK) August 1, 2024

Mohamed Shiraz has been called up by the SLC to replace Matheesha Pathirana in Sri Lanka's ODI squad. Shiraz has not yet made his international debut. He boasts impressive domestic stats, with 80 wickets in 47 List A matches at an average of 17.52. He has also played 23 T20 matches and 49 first-class games.

The First ODI Match Set to Be Played on August 2

Sri Lanka faced a 3-0 whitewash in the T20I series against India, led by Suryakumar Yadav. The home team collapsed in critical moments despite being in strong positions during the matches. They lost nine wickets for just 30 runs in the first T20I match of the series and seven wickets for 31 runs in the second game.

The Charith Asalanka-led team failed to chase down the 138-run target despite being 110-1 at one stage. The match went to a Super Over as Sri Lanka couldn’t score six runs in the last over. Sri Lanka lost two wickets for just two runs. Suryakumar Yadav hit a boundary off the first ball of the Super Over.

The ODI series between India and Sri Lanka will begin at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on Friday, August 2. Charith Asalanka replaced Kusal Mendis as skipper of the Sri Lankan ODI team. The home team hopes to secure victory in the upcoming series after their humiliating defeat in the shorter format.

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