New Delhi: Ahead of the T20I series against India, Sri Lanka have suffered a massive blow as star pacer Nuwan Thushara has been ruled out due to injury. During a training session on Wednesday, ahead of the first T20I on Saturday, Thushara suffered an injury to his finger during a fielding training session which has ruled him out of at least the three T20I games.
Double setback for Sri Lanka
The six white-ball matches begin with the T20I series on July 27 and it will be followed by the three ODI games. This happens to the second blow to the host nation’s pace attack in the recent days, after Dushmantha Chameera got ruled out of the entire tour due to bronchitis and a respiratory infection. Asitha Fernando was named the right-arm pacer’s replacement in the ODI and T20I squads.
As confirmed by team manger Mahinda Halangoda, Thushara suffered the injury under lights at the practice session. This comes up as a big blow for the island nation as Thushara has been a consistent member of Sri Lanka’s T20I line up this year. Although, the injury is not on his bowling hand, yet it is severe enough to rule him out of the series.
The paceman’s absence will be deeply felt by the host nation as he has been in a good form recently during Sri Lanka’s dismal period. Thushara proved out to be the standout bowlers for the Lankans in the T20 World Cup 2024, claiming 8 wickets in just 3 games. Earlier this year, he also pulled off a T20I hat-trick against Bangladesh, finishing with impressive figures of 5 for 20. Currently, Sri Lanka have not named a replacement for Thushara, but left-arm pacer Dilshan Madushanka is being considered a potential substitute.
Sri Lanka have suffered a massive blow as star pacer has been ruled out of the India T20I series due to injury. This is the second blow to island nation after Dushmantha Chameera. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
