Niroshan Dickwella. (Photo Source: Twitter)
Niroshan Dickwella has reportedly been suspended from all forms of cricket on Friday, August 16, after an alleged anti-doping violation during the recently concluded Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2024. According to sources within Sri Lanka Cricket, he faces an indefinite ban during the investigation period. A formal announcement regarding the extent of his punishment is expected to be out soon.
Dickwella was the captain of Galle Marvels in LPL 2024. Under his leadership, the franchise secured the top position on the points table at the end of the round-robin phase. They won five and lost just three out of the eight that they played in the season. In Qualifier 1, they got the better of Jaffna Kings but suffered a comprehensive nine-wicket defeat to them in the summit clash.
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During the campaign, Dickwella flattered to deceive as he only managed 184 runs from 10 innings at a paltry average of 18.40. His strike rate, however, was an impressive 153.33. The Kandy-born scored just a solitary half-century during the season.
The 31-year-old has played 54 Tests, 55 ODIs, and 28 T20Is so far for the Lankan Lions. He has aggregated 2,757, 1,604, and 480 runs in the three formats, respectively. Dickwella made his last international appearance in March 2023 at the Hagley Oval against New Zealand in a Test match. Meanwhile, in T20Is and ODIs, his last appearances came in 2021 and 2022, respectively.
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After a dismal performance with the bat in LPL 2024, Dickwella couldn’t find a place in the Sri Lankan white-ball squads for the recently concluded home series against India. Sri Lanka have had a lot of wicketkeeping options in their sides in recent years and that hasn’t helped Dickwella’s cause. Now, this suspension comes as a major setback for the southpaw as he looks to revive his flagging international career.