The upcoming India vs Sri Lanka T20I series will not feature the Dil-scoop in the first match on February 9, as Tillakaratne Dilshan, 39, has been ruled out due to injury, reported ESPNcricinfo. Wicketkeeper-batsman Niroshan Dickwella has been added to the Sri Lankan team as a replacement for Dilshan who was ruled out with a hand injury.
The veteran did not travel with the team to India on Saturday. It is, instead, expected that he will spend a few days recovering from injury at home, before joining the squad after the first match. He is expected to be available for the second match, in Ranchi, on February 12.
The injury is an aggravation of an old complaint. Dilshan sustained the injury while attempting a catch during the semi-final at the recently-concluded Super T20 Provincial Tournament. He did not feature in the finals but the injury is not thought to be serious. He is expected to resume training in the nets on Monday.
Dickwella earned his call-up after a good run in the Super T20 tournament, where he scored 189 runs in six innings, with a strike rate of 173. He has played four Tests and one ODI for Sri Lanka but is uncapped in T20s.
Dilshan is the third high-profile player to be struck by injury ahead of the series. Lasith Malinga and Angelo Mathews have already been ruled out of all three T20s. The first match will be played in Pune, on Tuesday.
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