Sri Lanka has suffered a significant setback ahead of their upcoming T20I and ODI series against India, as pace bowler Dushmantha Chameera has been ruled out due to injury. The 32-year-old fast bowler, who has been a regular member of the Sri Lankan team, will miss the three T20Is and three ODIs against India.
Chameera’s injury is a big blow to Sri Lanka’s pace attack, which was already facing an injury crisis. The team management is expected to announce a replacement for Chameera soon, with Asitha Fernando being the likely candidate to fill the void. Fernando impressed in the Lanka Premier League (LPL) final, picking up three wickets for the Jaffna Kings.
Dushmantha Chameera’s absence will be felt in the Sri Lankan team, as he has been one of their most experienced and successful bowlers in recent times. He has taken 43 wickets in T20 Internationals at an average of 24.65 and has also been effective in ODIs, taking 64 wickets at an average of 30.83.
Sri Lanka will be hoping that Fernando can make a successful debut in the series and provide some much-needed depth to their pace attack. The team will also be relying on other bowlers such as Lahiru Kumara, Binura Fernando, and Jeffrey Vandersay to fill the gap left by Dushmantha Chameera.
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The series against India is crucial for Sri Lanka, who are looking to regain their form and confidence after a disappointing Asia Cup campaign earlier this year. The T20Is will be played at the Pallekele International Stadium from July 27-30, followed by the ODIs in Colombo from August 2 onwards.
While Dushmantha Chameera’s injury is a setback for Sri Lanka, they will be hoping that Fernando can step up and make a positive impact in his debut series. With Asitha’s ability to bowl at high speeds and swing the ball, he could be an effective replacement for Dushmantha Chameera. However, only time will tell if he can fill the shoes of the experienced fast bowler.