“Nuwan Pradeep’s out for one or two months”

Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

Sri Lanka seamer Nuwan Pradeep has been ruled out for the rest of the ongoing Test series against India due to a hamstring injury.

Pradeep’s injury come as another major blow for Sri Lanka as they have already lost all-rounder Asela Gunaratne, who will be sidelined for six to eight weeks after undergoing surgery to repair a fractured left thumb, which he sustained on the opening day of the first Test against India in Galle.

Sri Lanka opener Dimuth Karunaratne confirmed that Pradeep, who injured his hamstring on the first day of the second Test in Colombo, will be out of action for one or two months.

As a result, Karunaratne’s services were needed with the ball, and he took the crucial wicket of Cheteshwar Pujara, who made 133, in the eight overs he bowled.

“Nuwan Pradeep’s out for one or two months,” Karunaratne said after the second day on Friday. “I started my career as a bowler, not as a batsman, so I can bowl. The thing is there are a lot of bowlers who can bowl faster than 130-135.

“We played only with one pace option, so when they asked me if we need to bowl a few overs with the new ball, I said I could. That’s why I bowled a few overs with Chaminda Vaas to see how it goes.”