His high attacking intent is ideal for T20s, which earned him a name and fame before a dip in form.
A former Punjab Kings (PBKS) star has been included in the national team squad after a gap of 1.5 years. The player has struggled with form, which kept him out of the team for a lengthy period but has been recalled.
Bhanuka Rajapaksa, the left-handed batter, is part of the 17-men squad for the upcoming T20I series against the West Indies. His last T20I outing came nearly 20 months back when he played against India in Pune in 2023.
His inclusion has come after his fine performances in this year’s Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2024, scoring 236 runs at an average of 29.50 and a strike rate of 163.88, including a fifty. His high attacking intent is ideal for T20s, which earned him a name and fame before a dip in form.
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However, he is now back and firing again and will look to seal his spot in the shortest format as the team builds towards the future. He is also expected to come in the XI from the first game and bat in the middle order for Sri Lanka.
Charith Asalanka will continue as the captain of the side, but Sri Lanka’s former captain, Dasun Shanaka, has been excluded from the squad. His international performances weren’t up to the mark, and since he was no longer the leader, his axing was always coming.
Jeffrey Vandersay, who was absolutely phenomenal in the ODI series has also been recalled for the T20I series. His last T20I outing came in 2022 during the T20I series against India, but his recent heroics have played a massive role in his re-inclusion.
Other notable names in the squad include Kamindu Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, and Avishka Fernando. Nuwan Thushara, who was withdrawn from the T20I series against India, has made a comeback to the side.
The three-match T20I series against the West Indies will begin on Sunday (October 13) in Dambulla before the second T20I on Tuesday (October 15) and the third T20I on Thursday (October 17) at the same venue. After the T20I series, Sri Lanka will also play a three-match ODI series in Pallekele.
Sri Lanka’s squad for the T20I series vs West Indies: Charith Asalanka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Janith Perera, Kamindu Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Avishka Fernando, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, Jeffrey Vandersay, Chamidu Wickramasinghe, Nuwan Thushara, Matheesha Pathirana, Binura Fernando, Asitha Fernando
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