Sri Lanka on Tuesday announced their 15-member squad for the upcoming ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 on Tuesday, naming Dasun Shanaka the captain of the side.
However, star spinner Wanindu Hasaranga has been ruled out due to a hamstring injury in a major blow to the former champions.
Notably, the main bone of contention for Sri Lanka was Hasaranga’s fitness which had delayed the announcement of their World Cup squad. The star cricketer is still recovering from the hamstring injury he suffered during the Lanka Premier League’s (LPL) playoffs last month which also ruled him out of Sri Lanka’s recent Asia Cup campaign.
Sri Lanka has inducted Chennai Super Kings (CSK) spinner Maheesh Theekshana, expecting that he would recover from the hamstring tear he picked up during the recent Asia Cup campaign. Theekshana was not part of the Sri Lanka Playing XI in the 2023 Asia Cup final against India.
Meanwhile, leggie Dushan Hemantha, who was named as the replacement for Theekshana in the Asia Cup, has also been added in the 15-member squad of Sri Lanka while Chamika Karunaratne was named as the traveling reserve.
Moreover, ace pacers Lahiru Kumara and Dilshan Madushanka have found a place in the squad after missing the Asia Cup 2023 due to injury concerns. Dunith Wellalage, the left-arm spinner, has also found a place in the squad.
The islanders will play two warm-up games against Bangladesh and Afghanistan on September 29 and October 2. They will play their campaign opener against South Africa at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on October 7.
Sri Lanka Squad for World Cup 2023
Dasun Shanaka (c), Kusal Mendis (vc), Kusal Perera, Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dushan Hemantha, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, Kasun Rajitha, Matheesha Pathirana, Lahiru Kumara, Dilshan Madushanka
Travelling reserve:
Chamika Karunaratne