Sri Lanka’s Matheesha Pathirana & Dilshan Madushanka injured ahead of ODI series against India; Mohamed Shiraz & Eshan Malinga called up as cover

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) have called up Mohamed Shiraz and Eshan Malinga to the ODI squad as injury cover for Matheesha Pathirana and Dilshan Madushanka ahead the three-match series against India, beginning on August 2. All three ODIs will take place at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.

Pathirana, one of Sri Lanka’s most incisive bowlers in recent times, sustained a shoulder injury during the third and final T20I against India in Pallekele on Tuesday. The youngster’s fielding effort at deep backward point caused him to walk off the field holding his shoulder.

With the incident occurring in the seventh over of the innings, the right-arm pacer hadn’t bowled an over at that stage and didn’t roll his arm over in the innings either. He will miss all three games.

Dilshan Madushanka, meanwhile, suffered a left hamstring injury (Grade 2) during fielding at practices.

Shiraz, yet to make his international debut, has impressive numbers in List A cricket. The 29-year-old has taken 80 scalps in 47 matches at 17.52 apiece. Malinga has not played internationals either.

Sri Lanka look to bounce back from series-sweep in T20Is

Meanwhile, the Island nation suffered a humiliating 3-0 sweep in the T20I leg of the white-ball series. India, captained by Suryakumar Yadav, won all three games despite the hosts being in a strong position in all the matches. The home side lost 9/30 in the opening game, followed by 7/31 in the next.

However, the most disappointing performance came in the third T20I when Charith Asalanka and Co. were 110-1 at one stage, chasing 138. With six runs required off the last over, India managed to force a Super Over. Sri Lanka once again underperformed in the Super Over, losing two wickets for two runs.

Suryakumar Yadav hit a boundary off the first ball of the Super Over to clinch a thrilling victory. It was also their 10th consecutive loss to India across formats.

The selectors have also replaced Kusal Mendis with Asalanka as captain for the one-day leg.