Chandimal, Perera return as Sri Lanka announce squad for South Africa series

Sri Lanka have announced the 22-member squad for their upcoming series against South Africa. Ace batsman Dinesh Chandimal has returned to the squad after being dropped from the team’s series against England and India. The squad have few new faces, with Pulina Tharanga and Mahesh Theekshana getting their maiden call ups.

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Meanwhile, Kusal Perera’s return to the side will be a massive boost for Sri Lanka. Perea was ruled out of the India series after suffering a shoulder injury on England tour. The hosts picked up an emphatic win in the T20I series against India but had lost the ODI series preceding the T20Is. South Africa come into the series after series wins over West Indies and Ireland thus beating them won’t be the easiest task for Sri Lanka.

The visitors though will be without the services of Lungi Ngidi, who pulled out of the ODIs due to personal reasons while wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton de Kock is also rested from the same. David Miller is struggling with a hamstring injury and is likely to recover before the T20Is.

Dasun Shanaka will continue to lead Sri Lanka while Dhananjaya de Silva will be his deputy. The tour kicks off on September 2, when the teams lock horns in the first ODI at R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, with the matches to follow on September 4 and 7. The T20Is will be played on September 10, 12, and 14.

Sri Lanka Squad - Dasun Shanaka (c), Dhananjaya De Silva, Kusal Perera, Dinesh Chandimal, Avishka Fernando, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Pathum Nissanka, Charith Asalanka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Kamindu Mendis, Minod Bhanuka, Ramesh Mendis, Chamika Karunaratne, Nuwan Pradeep, Binura Fernando, Dushmantha Chameera, Akhila Dananjaya, Praveen Jayawickrama, Lahiru Kumara, Lahiru Madushanka, Pulina Tharanga, Maheesh Theekshana