IPL: Chameera released; Rajapaksa, Hasaranga, Theekshana and Pathirana retained

Sri Lankan fast bowler Dushmantha Chameera was released by the Indian Premier League franchise the Lucknow Super Giants, as the eight teams released their lists of players retained ahead of December’s Player Auction. 

After being ruled out of the T20 World Cup two games into Sri Lanka’s campaign, Chameera underwent surgery on a bone spur on his left ankle, and has been ruled out for three months. 

Chameera’s workload had been heavily managed over the last year so as to keep him fresh for the World Cup, but the right arm fast bowler pulled up with a tear in the calf muscle of the same leg after Sri Lanka’s victory over the United Arab Emirates in the first round of the tournament. 

Chameera joined all-rounder Chamika Karunarartne as the only Sri Lankans on the released list. 

There was positive news however, for Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana and Bhanuka Rajapaksa, all of whom were retained by their respective franchises. 

Hasaranga will remain with the Royal Challengers Bangalore, while Theekshana and Pathirana will remain with the Chennai Super Kings franchise. 

Rajapaksa, who played nine matches during last year’s IPL season, scored 206 runs at an average of 22.89.