Top-order batsman Avishka Fernando on Wednesday returned to Sri Lanka’s squad for the limited-overs series against India starting January 3 in Mumbai. Fernando last played a match for Sri Lanka in February after which he was ruled out of the team due to injury. The 24-year-old batsman has earned a comeback in both the T20 and ODI squads for Sri Lanka after impressive performances in the recently concluded Lanka Premier League. Sri Lanka Cricket has selected a 20-man squad for the series consisting of three T20Is and as many One Day Internationals.
Sadeera Samarawickram, who has done exceptionally well in the Lanka Premier League, has been included in the squad ahead of Dinesh Chandimal, while Chamika Karunaratne also makes a comeback. Dasun Shanaka has been given the captaincy of both the teams. Wanindu Hasaranga in T20 format while Kusal Mendis has been made vice-captain in ODI format. After the first T20 match in Mumbai, the other two matches of the series will be played in Pune (January 5) and Rajkot (January 7). The ODI series will be held in Guwahati, Kolkata and Thiruvananthapuram on January 10, 12 and 15 respectively.
Squad: Dasun Shanaka (captain), Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Sadeera Samarawickram, Kusal Mendis, Bhanuka Rajapaksa (only for T20Is), Charith Aslanka, Dhananjay de Silva, Wanindu Hasaranga, Ashen Bandara, Mahesh Thiksana, Jeffrey Vandersay (only for ODIs), Chamika Karunaratne, Dilshan Madushanka, Kasun Rajitha, Nuvanidu Fernando (only for ODIs), Dunith Velalage, Pramod Madushan, Lahiru Kumara, Nuwan Thushara (only for T20Is).
