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Sri Lanka Suffers Injury Blow Ahead of T20I Series Against India
Sri Lanka has been dealt another injury blow ahead of the upcoming T20I series against India. Right-arm pacer Nuwan Thushara has sustained a broken finger while training, ruling him out of the series.
According to ESPN Cricinfo, team manager Mahinda Halangoda confirmed that Thushara’s injury is on his left hand and that it was severe enough to render him unavailable. The injury occurred during a training session under lights on Wednesday, when Thushara was at fielding practice.
This news comes on the heels of the announcement that right-arm speedster Dushmantha Chameera will miss the series due to illness, with Asitha Fernando set to replace him. Dilshan Madushanka is likely to come in as a cover for Thushara.
Thushara, 29, has been a consistent performer for Sri Lanka since his debut in international cricket in February 2022 against Australia in Sydney. In 11 T20Is, he has claimed 19 wickets at an average of 14.57. The Thalawa-born fast bowler was one of Sri Lanka’s better bowlers in the T20 World Cup 2024 campaign, taking eight wickets in three games.
The national men’s team has undergone a few changes ahead of the T20I series. Chris Silverwood and Wanindu Hasaranga have stepped down as coach and captain, respectively, after the T20 World Cup. Sanath Jayasuriya has taken over as head coach on an interim basis, while Charith Asalanka has been appointed captain. Their opponents, India, have also witnessed changes, but seem to have a more settled side.
The T20I series begins on Saturday, July 27, in Pallekele, with the two sides set to play three 50-over matches starting on August 2.
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