BIG BLOW TO SRI LANKA AHEAD OF FIRST T20I VS INDIA! STAR PACER RULED OUT DUE TO CHEST INFECTION
In what has come as a major blow to Sri Lanka ahead of their first T20I against India, star medium-pacer Binura Fernando has been ruled out because of a chest infection. He had to be hospitalised, according to Sri Lanka Cricket. This is the third withdrawal for the hosts, as earlier pacer Dushmantha Chameera was ruled out with bronchitis and medium-pacer Nuwan Thushara had to pull out due to a finger injury.
Fernando had a good time in the recent Lanka Premier League. He picked 13 wickets in eight matches at an impressive economy of 6.81.
Fernando was bowling in tandem with compatriot Matheesha Pathirana for the Colombo Strikers and the duo had a good partnership, bowling in the powerplay as well as in the death.
Related News |"Binura Fernando has been hospitalized as the player is suffering from a chest infection. Ramesh Mendis has been brought into the squad as a standby player," Sri Lanka Cricket tweeted.
Spin-bowling allrounder Ramesh Mendis has been drafted in as a replacement for Fernando. He was a travelling reserve with the team and has been added to the side besides medium-pacers Asitha Fernando and Dilshan Madushanka.
Mendis comes off the back of a below-average LPL. Playing for the Kandy Falcons, he picked up just four wickets across the six matches he played.
Related News |Mendis made his debut against India back in July 2021 and has two appearances in T20Is. Playing in that series against India, he picked up the wicket of India opener Devdutt Padikkal, which happens to be his sole wicket in the shortest format.
The 2014 T20 World Cup winners, Sri Lanka are wading through turbulent times after their first-round exit from the marquee event last month. Captain Wanindu Hasaranga, coach Chris Silverwood and consultant coach Mahela Jayawardene tendered their resignations after the debacle in the Americas.
Sri Lanka play the first of three T20Is against India on Saturday, July 27 in Pallekele.
2024-07-27T02:11:41Z dg43tfdfdgfd