India tour of Sri Lanka: Dasun Shanaka named new captain as Sri Lanka announce 24-member squad

Sri Lanka have announced a 24-member squad for the upcoming ODI and T20I series in Colombo against India. All-rounder Dasun Shanaka has been named as the new captain. Shanaka replaces Kusal Perera as the white-ball captain. The latter has been ruled out of the white-ball series with a shoulder injury, with the wicketkeeper-batsman’s absence an area of concern. Perera’s exit means Sri Lanka will be without their first-choice wicketkeeper. The next option Niroshan Dickwella is under suspension following a bio-bubble breach on the recent tour of England. Dhananjaya De Silva has been named as the vice-captain. The Sri Lankan squad has been approved by the nation’s Minister of Youth and Sports Honorable Namal Rajapaksa. The first ODI will be played on the 18th of July 2021.

Sri Lanka’s sixth captain in less than four years

Shanaka has become the sixth captain in less than four years. Dinesh Chandimal, Angelo Mathews, Lasith Malinga, Dimuth Karunaratne and Kusal Perera have been handed the role previously.

The matches will be played at the R Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo. Shikhar Dhawan has been named as the captain of the Team India squad with Bhuvneshwar Kumar appointed as the vice-captain. Prithvi Shaw, Devdutt Padikkal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Suryakumar Yadav, Manish Pandey are some of the exciting names who have been included in the squad.

The series was postponed by 5 days after positive Covid-19 cases hit the Sri Lankan camp upon their arrival from England.

Sri Lanka squad for ODI and T20I series against India: Dasun Shanaka (c), Dhananjaya De Silva, Avishka Fernando, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Pathum Nissanka, Charith Asalanka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Ashen Bandara, Minod Bhanuka, Lahiru Udara, Ramesh Mendis, Chamika Karunaratne, Dushmantha Chameera, Lakshan Sandakan, Akila Dananjaya, Shiran Fernando, Dhananjaya Lakshan, Ishan Jayaratne, Praveen Jayawickrama, Asitha Fernando, Kasun Rajitha, Lahiru Kumara, Isuru Udana, Binura Fernando (T20I series).

India’s squad: Shikhar Dhawan (Captain), Prithvi Shaw, Devdutt Padikkal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Suryakumar Yadav, Manish Pandey, Hardik Pandya, Nitish Rana, Ishan Kishan (Wicket-keeper), Sanju Samson (Wicket-keeper), Yuzvendra Chahal, Rahul Chahar, K Gowtham, Krunal Pandya, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy, Bhuvneshwar Kumar (Vice-captain), Deepak Chahar, Navdeep Saini, Chetan Sakariya.

Net Bowlers: Ishan Porel, Sandeep Warrier, Arshdeep Singh, Sai Kishore, Simarjeet Singh.

Groups for ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021

The groups for the much-awaited ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 have been announced. Sri Lanka, Ireland, the Netherlands and Namibia are placed in Group A of Round 1. Bangladesh, Scotland, Papua New Guinea & Oman have been slotted into Group B of Round 1.

The winner of Group A will join the Group 1 of the Super 12s. The team will be joined by the runner-up of Group B. On the other hand, the runner-up of Group A and Winner of Group B will join the Group 2 of Super 12s, which includes India.

Round 1
A: Sri Lanka, Ireland, the Netherlands & Namibia
B: Bangladesh, Scotland, Papua New Guinea & Oman

Super 12s

Group 1: England, Australia, South Africa, West Indies, A1 &B2
Group 2: India, Pakistan, New Zealand, Afghanistan, A2& B1