COLOMBO: Fast bowler Lahiru Kumara is back in the ODI XI while batting all-rounder Kamindu Mendis also makes the squad as Sri Lanka look to continue rebuilding after a disappointing World Cup against Bangladesh. The team is missing veteran seamer Dushmantha Chameera, who is out with an injury, and batsman Shevon Daniel, who was part of Sri Lanka’s last two ODI squads but played only one match.
Kumara has been showing decent form in domestic cricket, taking nine wickets in his last four List A matches. Kamindu made the ODI squad after impressing in the T20Is.
Also in the squad are opening batsman Pathum Nissanka, who has sufficiently recovered from a hamstring complaint, and offspin-bowling all-rounder Sahan Arachchige, who is also having a good domestic season with the bat. Test captain Dhananjaya de Silva remains omitted from the ODI squad and Daniel – who has made the last two ODI squads – has been left out in favor of Kamindu.
While Kumara is the most experienced fast bowler, Sri Lanka have plenty of seamers. options, even if they don’t have the slingers of Matheesh Pathiran or Nuwan Thushar, despite the latter being excellent in the third T20I against Bangladesh. Instead, they have Pramod Madushan, left-armer Dilshan Madushanka and all-rounders Chamika Karunaratne and Janth Liyanage. There is no Dasun Shanaka.
On the spin front, Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana are expected to be the most likely bowlers to play in the XI, but Akila Dananjaya is also in the mix, as is all-rounder Dunith Wellalage in left-arm spin.
Sri Lanka won both their ODI series this year, at home against Zimbabwe, then Afghanistan. This is their first overseas series in 2024. The first of the three ODIs will be played in Chattogram on Wednesday.
