Three Sri Lanka Cricketers Face Injury Scare Ahead Of The Second T20I Against India

Sri Lanka could be in trouble ahead of the second T20I against India on Tuesday in Colombo as their injured players have added up. Sri Lanka face a must-win game in the second T20 international to keep the series alive and avoid a winless rubber against an in-form visiting side. Charith Asalanka remains one of the likely members to miss Tuesday’s fixture.

Charith Asalanka had arguably been Sri Lanka’s best batsman in the ODI series, making 127 runs in three innings, with a best of 65 in the second ODI. The southpaw also carried the home side’s hopes in the opening T20I, scoring 44 off 26 deliveries in a tricky chase of 165. As Asalanka fell, their chances of winning kept diminishing and Sri Lanka lost by 38 runs eventually.

Bhanuka Rajapaksa has already been ruled out of the series after copping a blow on the finger from Hardik Pandya during the third ODI. After a first-ball duck in the second game, Rajapaksa scored a confident 65 in the final match to give his side a consolation victory. Hence, Rajapaksa missing it would also be a significant blow as the home side need some firepower.

Pathum Nissanka was struck on the arm during a net session on Sunday:

Finally, rookie batsman, Pathum Nissanka took a blow on the arm during a net session on Sunday. Though his scans are yet to come, Nissanka looks like an unlikely prospect for Tuesday’s clash. So far, only Nissanka and Sadeera Samarawickrama are the batting replacements.

Hence, three body blows could further diminish the chances of a side, who are already struggling for victory. The board might have to turn to the backup squad, which they kept ready under COVID-19 protocols before the series started.

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