By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya  

Following a disappointing performance in the recently concluded T20 World Cup, the Sri Lanka Cricket Team is gearing up under a new captain and an interim coach as they prepare to face India starting on Saturday.  

Sports Minister Harin Fernando has approved the 16-member squad, led by Charith Asalanka, for the upcoming T20I series against India.  

Several senior cricketers from the T20 World Cup Squad have been excluded, making way for standout performers from the Lanka Premier League (LPL); Kusal Janith Perera, Dinesh Chandimal, Avishka Fernando and uncapped all-rounder Chamindu Wickremesinghe.  

They have replaced Dananjaya de Silva, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Angelo Mathews and Dilshan Madushanka.  

Chairman, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) Selection Committee, Upul Tharanga told Daily Mirror that the team will commence training at the Pallekele Stadium starting today.  

The opening batting combination for the India series is yet to be finalised. Tharanga said they believe Asalanka, who captained the Jaffna Kings to victory in the LPL 2024 final, will lead the side with confidence.  

Asalanka takes charge following Wanindu Hasaranga’s resignation as captain. Also, the India tour will be Sanath Jayasuriya’s first role as the Interim Head Coach following Chris Silverwood’s resignation.  

Sanath has not previously held a high-profile coaching position but has been Sri Lanka Men’s Chief Selector as well as Cricket Consultant for SLC - the role he held till the fresh appointment.   India’s upcoming white-ball tour of Sri Lanka marks the debut assignment for Gautam Gambhir as the team’s new coach. Gambhir steps into this role following Rahul Dravid’s departure after leading the team to victory in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.  

This will be the first time since 2021 that India travelled to Sri Lanka for a bilateral series.  

The Sri Lanka squad comprises seven batsmen including Charith Asalanka, Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Janith Perera, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal and Kamindu Mendis along with four all-rounders - Dasun Shanaka, Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage and Wickramasinghe.  

The bowling unit features spinner Maheesh Theekshana alongside pacers Matheesha Pathirana, Nuwan Thushara, Dushmantha Chameera and Binura Fernando.  

The T20I matches will be held on July 27, 28 and 30 at the Pallekele Stadium.  

The Pallekele Stadium has hosted a total of 23 T20I matches, with teams batting first winning 12 times and teams chasing emerging victorious in nine matches. The average first innings score at Pallekele stands at 173 runs. Australia holds the record for the highest score with 263 for three, while New Zealand’s 88 all out remains the lowest total recorded at this venue.