Dinesh Chandimal has not played ODI cricket since the Champions Trophy in June
Image courtesy of: Zimbio
Sri Lanka have added batsmen Dinesh Chandimal and Lahiru Thirimanne to their squad for the last three ODIs against India after captain Upul Tharanga was suspended and opener Danushka Gunathilaka suffered a shoulder injury.
Tharanga was handed a two-match ban by the International Cricket Council (ICC) due to his side’s slow over-rate in the second ODI against India, which they lost by three wickets in unbelievable circumstances.
This is the second time in three months that Tharanga has been suspended for a over-rate offence as during the Champions Trophy in England in June, he suffered the same fate.
Match referee Andy Pycroft concluded that Sri Lanka were three overs short of their target, even though India won the match with more than two overs to spare.
With Tharanga out for the next two ODIs, Chamara Kapugedara will stand in as captain.
“The main reason for appointing Kapu as the captain is because he was actually Upul’s deputy in the first two matches, and we wanted to stick with him, rather than bringing someone from outside,” Sri Lanka’s cricket manager Asanka Gurusinha said. “We wanted someone who can hold his place in the side as well. He’s also respected in the team.”
Meanwhile, Gunathilaka will be out of action for 10 days after hurting his shoulder while fielding during the match.
The incident occurred in the 33rd over of India’s innings when Gunathilaka dived at point and landed heavily on his shoulder.
The 26-year-old clutched his shoulder for about 30 seconds before retaking his position on the field.
With Gunathilaka likely to miss the remainder of the ODI series, it presents Thirimanne with a golden opportunity to prove his worth and perhaps even cement his place in the ODI squad.
However, this will be a lot easier said than done, especially as the 28-year-old has not played ODI cricket since January 2016.
Sri Lanka are 2-0 down in the series going into the third ODI, which will be held in Pallekele on Sunday.