IND vs SL: Maheesh Theekshana Unavailable For T20I Series Following Hamstring Injury

Sri Lankan mystery spinner Maheesh Theekshana has been ruled out of the 3-match T20I series against India as he will be unable to recover from his hamstring injury in time to make it to the playing XI.

Theekshana didn’t feature in the first T20I which Sri Lanka lost by 62 runs. His absence could hurt the Lankans who are already missing their best spinner, Wanindu Hasaranga, who tested positive for covid-19.

Additionally, even Kusal Mendis could end up missing the T20I series due to a hamstring niggle. However, the Lankan management is hopeful he recovers in time for the two Tests.

Even if he does make himself available for the remaining two games, Mendis could be advised rest keeping the more important Test series in mind. The two Tests will be played in Mohali and Bengaluru, the latter being a day-night pink-ball Test.

Shiran Fernando, the pacer who is part of the T20I squad and is yet to feature for Sri Lanka, has also been ruled out of the series with a glute injury. Binura Fernando has been given the green light to start training after being cleared of covid-19.

He tested positive back in Australia and had to quarantine. Binura has tested negative since and is most likely to be available for selection for the final two T20Is against India, which will be held in Dharamshala.

Sri Lanka lost the first match by 62 runs after being thoroughly outplayed by the hosts. The Lankans were set a target of 200 on the board but they could only muster 137/6 in their allotted 20 overs.

Sri Lanka squad for T20I series against India:

Dasun Shanaka (captain), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Charith Asalanka, Dinesh Chandimal, Danushka Gunathilaka, Kamil Mishara, Janith Liyanage, Chamika Karunaratne, Dushmantha Chameera, Lahiru Kumara, Binura Fernando, Shiran Fernando, Jeffrey Vandersay, Praveen Jayawickrama.

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