SRI LANKA TOUR OF INDIA, 2017

Gunaratne, Pradeep return for India ODIs

by Cricbuzz Staff • Last updated on

Sri Lanka will be boosted by Gunaratne's presence. © Getty

All-rounder Asela Gunaratne and fast bowler Nuwan Pradeep have made a comeback to the Sri Lankan national squad for the three-match One-Day International series in India, the selectors announced on Tuesday (December 5). The selectors have also brought back wicketkeeper-batsman Kusal Perera while Test skipper Dinesh Chandimal and veteran seamer Lasith Malinga have not been considered.

While Malinga was already dropped for the Pakistan ODIs recently following his below-par performance at home against India, Chandimal has been axed after scoring only 41 runs in the five-match series in the UAE, which Sri Lanka lost 0-5.

Gunaratne, who recently collected four trophies at the SLC annual awards, has recovered after undergoing a reconstructive surgery for a broken thumb whereas Pradeep, who was rested for the Tests, is set to play his first ODI in almost six months.

Sri Lanka will also feel bolstered by the presence of former skipper Angelo Mathews, who missed the Pakistan ODIs, and Perera, who hasn't played for the national side ever since getting injured in the Champions Trophy earlier this year. Promising batsman Kusal Mendis, who was left out of the Test squad, continues to find himself on the sidelines.

Chaturanga De Silva, who last played a One-Day International in South Africa in January this year, has returned to the squad. He played in the Lahore T20I against Pakistan recently. While Sadeera Samarawickrama retains his spot, Sri Lanka will also welcome back Danushka Gunathilaka to their top order. The left-hander was not considered for the Pakistan ODIs after being suspended by the SLC. He eventually returned for the T20I series and scored one half-century.

Due to a delay in submitting the list of selected players to the ratification of the Sports Minister, the players including skipper Thisara Perera were not able to arrive in India on Monday as per the original schedule. Instead, they will now leave in the early hours of Wednesday. The first ODI will be played in Dharamsala on December 10.

ODI squad: Thisara Perera (C), Upul Tharanga, Danushka Gunathilaka, Lahiru Thirimanne, Angelo Mathews, Asela Gunaratne, Niroshan Dickwella, Chaturanga de Silva, Akila Dananjaya, Suranga Lakmal, Nuwan Pradeep, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Dhananjaya De Silva, Dushmantha Chameera, Sachith Pathirana, Kusal Janith Perera

© Cricbuzz

TAGS

RELATED STORIES