Nuwan Thushara Injury, Sri Lanka Squad Against India
Sri Lanka faces a setback ahead of their three-match T20I series against India, with another pacer ruled out due to injury. Nuwan Thushara has been sidelined after fracturing his left thumb during a fielding session on Wednesday.
Despite the injury affecting his non-bowling hand, it was deemed severe enough to exclude Thushara from the squad before the first match on Saturday, 27 July. In his place, Dilshan Madushanka has been named as a replacement. Madushanka, a left-arm pacer, had a stellar performance at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, finishing as the third-highest wicket-taker with 21 wickets in nine matches.
The updated Sri Lanka squad includes: 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, Dilshan Madushanka, Asitha Fernando, Binura Fernando.
Thushara’s injury further weakens Sri Lanka’s bowling lineup, with Dushmantha Chameera already ruled out of the series due to bronchitis and a respiratory infection. Asitha Fernando was named Chameera’s replacement.
Since debuting in 2022, Thushara has become a crucial part of Sri Lanka’s T20I squad. In 11 T20Is, the slingy right-arm pacer has claimed 19 wickets, maintaining an economy rate of 7.95. He was a standout performer during Sri Lanka’s otherwise disappointing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 campaign in the USA and Canada, leading his team with eight wickets in three matches.
Earlier this year, Thushara also made headlines by taking a T20I hat-trick against Bangladesh in March.
