Sri Lanka has revealed a 16-member squad led by Charith Asalanka for the upcoming T20I series against India. Asalanka takes over from Wanindu Hasaranga, who recently stepped down as captain after the T20 World Cup.
The squad has undergone significant changes, with veterans Angelo Mathews and Dhananjaya de Silva being left out. Meanwhile, seasoned players Dinesh Chandimal and Kusal Janith Perera have been included, signalling a shift from their disappointing World Cup performance.
The squad also features uncapped 21-year-old Chamindu Wickramasinghe, along with Binura Fernando and Avishka Fernando, while Sadeera Samarawickrama and Dilshan Madhushanka have been omitted.
Asalanka recently led the Jaffna Kings to a championship victory in the Lankan Premier League, where Avishka Fernando was the highest run-scorer among Sri Lankan players. Kusal Perera also impressed with 296 runs at a strike rate of 169. On the bowling side, left-arm seamer Binura Fernando returns to the national team after claiming 13 wickets in eight matches in the LPL.
This series marks Sri Lanka's first T20I competition since their early exit in the World Cup held in the USA and West Indies.
The three-match series against world champions India will be held in Pallekele over four days, starting on July 27.
Full squad: Charith Asalanka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Janith Perera, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Chamindu Wickramasinghe, Matheesha Pathirana, Nuwan Thushara, Dushmantha Chameera, Binura Fernando.