Asalanka becomes Sri Lanka’s 27th ODI Captain

• Uncapped Madushka named in 16-member squad for India series

By Sa’adi Thawfeeq

Charith Asalanka who succeeded Wanindu Hasaranga as T20I captain has been appointed the new ODI Captain as well replacing Kusal Mendis for Sri Lanka’s three-match ODI series against India starting at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium on 2 August.

Other changes that have taken place since Sri Lanka’s last ODI series against Bangladesh in March this year are uncapped white ball cricketer Nishan Madushka’s inclusion in the 16-member ODI squad named for the series.

Recalled along with him are fast bowlers Asitha Fernando and Matheesha Pathirana who both missed Sri Lanka’s series against Bangladesh.  

Madushka, a right-hand opener for Sri Lanka in Tests has been in prolific form for CCC in the ongoing Major Clubs Limited Overs tournament being the leading run scorer with 336 runs (avg. 67.20) with one century and two fifties and an exceptional strike rate of 150.67.

Fernando played the last of his 7 ODIs against Afghanistan in February this year, and Pathirana’s last ODI appearance of the 12 he has played was in the World Cup match against Pakistan in October 2023.

Apart from these changes the rest of the squad remains the same that lost the series 2-1 to Bangladesh.

Asalanka becomes Sri Lanka’s 27th ODI Captain. Mendis who took over from Dasun Shanaka last year led Sri Lanka in 16 ODIs and had an 8-7-win ratio with one no-result. Shanaka was the last to captain Sri Lanka in both formats.

SRI LANKA ODI SQUAD: Charith Asalanka (Captain), Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Kamindu Mendis, Janith Liyanage, Nishan Madushka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Akila Dananjaya, Dilshan Madushanka, Matheesha Pathirana, Asitha Fernando.