Chandimal returns, Malinga to lead T20 Side

Lasith Malinga has been named the captain for the T20I series against the West Indies

Sri Lanka Cricket Board announced the T20 squad for their 2-two-match series against the West Indies. With the T20 World Cup just around the corner, the Sri Lankans have decided to test their youth in this series. They just announced their squad for the same.

The Sri Lankans who have had a great run in the T20s over the years were recently thrashed by Pakistan 2-0. This has left the team stunned and the board has decided to give a chance to youngsters to see if they have what it requires at this level. They will be looking to make a strong team for the World Cup in the sub-continent next year.

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has given the opportunity Binura Fernando, Jeffrey Vandersay, and Shehan Jayasuriya. With youngsters, the likes of Thisara Perera, Chamara Kapugedara and Kithruwan Vithanage are back in the team after not being selected in either the ODIs or the Test matches recently.

The first T20I starts on 9th November, Monday. Lasith Malinga will be leading the side in the series and under his bowling command he will be looking to lubricate the abilities of Nuwan Kulasekara, Sachithra Senanayake, and Dushmantha Chameera.

Dinesh Chandimal is brought back to the team to handle the top order after being rested against Pakistan. Surprisingly, Thirimanne who had a huge impact in the last year’s success in the World T20 has not been picked.

Shehan Jayasuriya who made his international ODI debut on 1st November. Jayasuriya, an all-rounder took the step into the international T20 circuit first against Pakistan and played an important cameo in the match with both his bat by scoring 40 off 33 balls and then getting the important wicket of Shahid Afridi too.

With Ajanta Mendis dropped due to his expensive outing in the last two ODIs, Vandersay, the young leg-spinner would look to lead Lanka’s spin attack. Debuting earlier this year, Vandersay will look to grab this opportunity. He has gone wicketless in the last two matches with an average economy of 7.33.

Fernando, who has relatively been expensive in the last 2 matches conceding runs at an economy rate of 9.68 has been given another chance because of his wicket taking ability and the awkward bounce due to his height. He has grabbed three wickets in the two T20Is he has played.

Tillakaratne Dilshan, Angelo Mathews and Kusal Perera will be the ones with the major experience in this squad and would look forward to capitalising on the team’s strengths.

Sri Lankan Cricket (SLC) have made some impactful changes to their team and will hope to build a strong team not only for the series but for the upcoming ICC World T20. The board has believed in the youngster and will look forward to them delivering in the series against West Indies.

They will be going into the major tournament as defending champions and holding the rank 1 in T20s with a rating of 126 just above Pakistan who are at 121. The Lankans would be looking forward to maintaining their form.

Following is the squad for the series against the Indies:

Lasith Malinga (capt), Tillakaratne Dilshan, Kusal Perera, Shehan Jayasuriya, Angelo Mathews, Milinda Siriwardana, Chamara Kapugedera, Dinesh Chandimal, Kithuruwan Vithanage, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Kulasekara, Sachithra Senanayake, Jeffrey Vandersay, Binura Fernando, Thisara Perera