Ashain Daniel added to unchanged Sri Lanka squad for India

Sri Lanka have retained the same squad that travelled to Australia, for this week’s T20I series against India with spinner Ashain Daniel the only new inclusion.

Despite losing the five-match series against Australia 4-1 on the back of poor batting particularly in the middle order, the national selectors have opted not to effect any changes in that department, which has also been further depleted by a reported knee injury to Avishka Fernando that has ruled him out.

The decision not to reinforce the batting means Bhanuka Rajapaksa, who last month retired from international cricket only to reverse his decision on the request of Sports Minsiter Namal Rajapaksa, remains on the sidelines.

Rajapaksa had passed his 2km run test last week, but had reportedly not met the standard for the skinfold test – the two fitness standards set by SLC for players to be considered for national selection.

Last year Rajapaksa was fined for comments that were deemed to have violated his player contract, when he questioned his omission from the national team in an interview on social media, questioning the methods of then coach Mickey Arthur.

That incident seemed to motivate Rajapaksa, who then worked hard to meet the required standards and eventually booking a spot in Sri Lanka’s T20 World Cup squad, where he was the team’s third highest run scorer in the tournament.

Daniel’s inclusion comes on the back of strong performances in the recently concluded National Super League Limited Overs tournament, where the off-spinner took ten wickets in just three matches for the Kandy team.

Sri Lanka have also opted against replacing either of the other two players who were injured on the tour of Australia.

Fast bowler Nuwan Thushara picked up a side strain during his spell in the fourth T20I against Australia, while Ramesh Mendis suffered a fractured thumb during a practice session.