Sri Lanka’s cricket board announced on Friday that Dasun Shanaka will lead the team in the limited-overs series against India, replacing Kusal Perera, who is out because of a shoulder injury. Sri Lanka has lost all three series since Perera took charge in May, and Sanaka had been predicted by the local media to become the country’s 10th one-day skipper in the previous five years.
“Kusal Perera will not be able to take part in the ODI and the T20I series against India owing to an injury,” Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) said in a statement before announcing the squad.
According to the SLC, the wicketkeeper-batsman sprained his right shoulder in practice ahead of Sunday’s first One-day against India.
Sri Lanka named young wicketkeepers Minod Bhanuka and Lahiru Udara in their team because fellow stumper Niroshan Dickwella was suspended for breaching bio-bubble procedures in England. Binura Fernando, a left-arm fast bowler who sprained his left ankle during practice, will miss the three ODI against India but will be fit for the T20 matches.
While some of India’s frontline players are in England training for a five-test series against Joe Root’s team, opener Shikhar Dhawan will lead a second-string squad against Sri Lanka.