Just before Sri Lanka Cricket’s (SLC) white-ball series against India, the team suffered a serious blow when Binura Fernando was admitted to the hospital. Ramesh Mendis, an off-spinner, has been called up by the team as a standby due to the injury.
According to a statement issued by the SLC, Ramesh Mendis has joined the squad while Binura Fernando has been admitted to the hospital with a chest ailment.
Not to be overlooked is the fact that Binura Fernando made an impression in the Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2024. In the eight games he played for the Colombo Strikers, Fernando claimed 13 wickets while keeping an economy of 6.81.
In addition, Fernando’s injury marks the team’s third in the run-up to the India series. Nuwan Thushara and Dusmanatha Chameera, for example, were already ruled out because of a fractured left thumb and pneumonia, respectively. Asitha Fernando and Dilshan Madushanka were subsequently appointed as their successors.
Sri Lanka and India want to start out strong.
It is noteworthy that the third match of the series between Sri Lanka and India will take place at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on July 30 after back-to-back Twenty20 Internationals on July 27 and 28. Both teams will turn their attention to the lengthier format following the T20I series when they play each other in a three-game ODI series.
Gautam Gambhir, the new head coach of India, will be coaching in his maiden series. Gambhir was named India’s coach after guiding Kolkata Knight Riders to their third IPL championship in his role as coach. Suryakumar Yadav was named the team’s T20I captain against Sri Lanka as the series got closer.
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Moreover, Shubman Gill will serve as Rohit Sharma’s deputy when he leads India in One-Day Internationals. Gill was also selected to be the T20I team’s second captain for the Sri Lankan series.