India vs Sri Lanka 2017: Sri Lanka announce squad for T20I series

What's the story?

Sri Lanka have announced their squad for the upcoming T20I series against India. Veteran fast bowler Lasith Malinga as well as seamer Suranga Lakmal have been left out of the 15-member contingent for various reasons.

According to Sri Lanka Cricket's (SLC) media release, Malinga has been officially 'rested' for the 3-match series. It is understood that Lakmal was not included in the squad due to the rotation policy revolving around their fast bowlers. Vishwa Fernando, yet to make his debut in the shortest format, has been called-up to bolster the seam department.

The batting fortunes will rest primarily on the shoulders of the experienced duo of Upul Tharanga and Angelo Mathews. The likes of Kusal Janith Perera, Niroshan Dickwella and Sadeera Samarawickrama add explosiveness to the lineup.

The background

Malinga's previous appearance for Sri Lanka in any format came in the one-off T20I against India at Colombo during September. Since then, he has been sidelined from the national set-up due to a combination of diminishing form and inadequate fitness.

The 34-year old played eight matches for eventual champions Rangpur Riders in the recently completed edition of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). However, Malinga leaked runs on a regular basis before leaving the tournament ahead of the final owing to unspecified reasons.

The heart of the matter

Thisara Perera, who led Sri Lanka in their previous T20I series against Pakistan, continues to captain the team. The seam-heavy squad features only one specialist spinner in the form of Akila Dananjaya. All-rounders Sachith Pathirana, Chaturanga de Silva and Danushka Gunathilaka are the other slow bowling options in the contingent.

Sri Lanka squad: Thisara Perera (c), Upul Tharanga, Angelo Mathews, Kusal Janith Perera, Danushka Gunathilaka, Niroshan Dickwella (wk), Asela Gunaratne, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Dasun Shanaka, Chaturanga de Silva, Sachith Pathirana, Akila Dananjaya, Dushmantha Chameera, Nuwan Pradeep and Vishwa Fernando

What's next?

The first T20I of the 3-match series is slated to take place at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack on the 20th. Indore and Mumbai will host the remaining two matches on 22 and 24 respectively.

Author's take

Malinga's prolonged exclusion from the national set-up is an indication that the Sri Lankan selectors have moved on from him and are looking to place faith on younger pacers. The decision appears to be the right one as the veteran seamer's recent performances have left a lot to be desired.

Having taken the ODI series to the decider (which will be held on Sunday in Visakhapatnam), Sri Lanka will be aiming to challenge the depleted Indian team in the T20I leg as well.