Ramesh Mendis. (Source – Twitter/X)
In a major development for Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) just ahead of the side’s white-ball series against India, the hosts were dealt another big blow with Binura Fernando being hospitalised. With the injury, the side has been forced to bring in off-spinner Ramesh Mendis as a standby for their squad.
A statement released by the SLC revealed that Binura Fernando has been hospitalised due to a chest infection, and Mendis has been included in the squad.
It is worth noting that Binura Fernando impressed with his performances in the Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2024. Taking 13 wickets in the eight games that he played for Colombo Strikers, Fernando managed to maintain an economy of 6.81.
Furthermore, Fernando’s is the third injury instance for the side in the lead-up to the India series. Earlier, the likes of Dusmanatha Chameera and Nuwan Thushara were ruled out due to bronchitis and a fractured left thumb, respectively. As for their replacements, Asitha Fernando and Dilshan Madushanka were named subsequently.
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India and Sri Lanka hope to get off to positive starts
It is worth noting that the series between India and Sri Lanka will begin with back-to-back T20Is on July 27 and 28, followed by the third game on July 30 at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium itself. After the T20I series, both sides will shift their focus to the longer format as they face off in a three-game ODI series.
The series will be a very first for India’s new head coach, Gautam Gambhir. After he led Kolkata Knight Riders to their third IPL title as their mentor, Gambhir was appointed as India’s coach. With the series approaching, Suryakumar Yadav was announced as the skipper for the T20I side against Sri Lanka.
Furthermore, Rohit Sharma will continue to lead India in ODIs, with Shubman Gill as his deputy. Gill was also named the vice captain of the T20I squad for Sri Lanka series as well.