Bhanuka Rajapaksa dropped as Sri Lanka announce T20I squad for India tour

Sri Lanka have announced their squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against India. However, in what comes as shocking news, Bhanuka Rajapaksa has been dropped from the squad at the last minute. It is to be noted that he was staying at the team hotel in a bio-bubble before the India tour as well.

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However, according to a report by Sports Tiger, the batter hasn't been picked in the series due to fitness issues. The 30-year-old was in the news as he had announced his retirement. He cited family issues for the same.

Yet, ten days later, Rajapaksa decided to withdraw his retirement. He had notified the SLC that he wished to come out of retirement. A statement by the board confirmed the same as well.

“Pursuant to a meeting with the Hon. Namal Rajapaksa – Minister of Youth & Sports and after consulting with the National Selectors, Bhanuka Rajapaksa has notified SLC that he wishes to withdraw his resignation which he tendered to SLC on 3rd Jan. 2022, with immediate effect. In his letter to SLC withdrawing his resignation, he further states that he wishes to represent his country in the game he loves for the years to come," read SLC's statement.

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Rajapaksa made his international debut in 2019. So far, he has played 23 games for the emerald nation. While he has scored 320 runs at an average of 26.67 in the shortest format of the game, the middle-order batter has scored 89 runs in five ODIs at an average of 17.8.

He was a part of Sri Lanka's squad during the 20-20 World Cup 2021, and was fairly decent during the mega-event as well. However, the Shanaka-led side will have to face the men in blue without the services of Rajapaksa. The T20I series starts on February 24. Speaking about the squad, it boasts of all regular names, including Kusal Mendis, Charith Asalanka, Danushka Gunathilaka, Wanindu Hasaranga and skipper Dasun Shanaka. However, Kusal Perera, Avishka Fernando and Ramesh Mendis are unavailable for this series due to injuries.

Sri Lanka's squad for T20

Dasun Shanaka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Charith Asalanka, Dinesh Chandimal, Danushka Gunathilaka, Kamil Mishara, Janith Liyanage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Dushmantha Chameera, Lahiru Kumara, Binura Fernando, Shiran Fernando, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Praveen Jayawickrama, Ashian Daniel (Subjected to Ministerial approval)