SA vs SL: Maheesh Theekshana Ruled Out Of Sri Lanka's World Cup 2023 Opener vs South Africa

The 23-year-old Sri Lanka National Cricket Team spinner Maheesh Theekshana has been ruled out of his team’s ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 opening clash against the South Africa National Cricket Team.

The Temba Bavuma-led South Africa National Cricket Team and the Dasun Shanaka-led Sri Lanka National Cricket Team will go head-to-head at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on Saturday, October 7.

Ahead of the match, the Lankan Lions have been handed a massive blow as the star spinner Maheesh Theekshana has been ruled out of the important fixture.

The spinner has been Sri Lanka’s star performer in the bowling department in ODIs this year. He was very good with the ball in the Asia Cup 2023 before he picked up an injury and missed the summit clash of the competition.

Maheesh Theekshana suffered a hamstring injury in the clash against Babar Azam-led Pakistan on Thursday, September 14, at the R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo.

Maheesh Theekshana is still recovering from a hamstring injury – Chris Silverwood

On Friday, October 6, the Sri Lanka National Cricket Team head coach Chris Silverwood confirmed that Theekshana will not be available for the game against South Africa in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. He said that the spinner is still recovering from his injury and they are expecting him to become fully fit very soon.

“Theekshana is still recovering from a hamstring injury, so he won’t be available for this game. But we expect him to be available very soon. The rest of them are fine,” Silverwood said while speaking to reporters.

Notably, Theekshana has not played any competitive game since getting injured against Pakistan. He did not feature in any of the warm-up games against Bangladesh and Afghanistan, but he participated in training sessions.

However, in a piece of positive news, Kusal Perera and skipper Dasun Shanaka have passed the fitness test after missing Sri Lanka’s last warm-up and will be seen in action against South Africa.

Sri Lanka probable XI vs South Africa: 1 Kusal Perera, 2 Pathum Nissanka, 3 Kusal Mendis, 4 Sadeera Samarawickrama, 5 Charith Asalanka, 6 Dhananjaya de Silva, 7 Dasun Shanaka, 8 Dunith Wellalage, 9 Dushan Hemantha, 10 Dilshan Madushanka, 11 Lahiru Kumara