Sri Lanka make two changes for T20I series against West Indies

•  Rajapaksa, Vandersay recalled

 Bhanuka Rajapaksa (right) replaces Dasun Shanaka in T20I squad

By Sa’adi Thawfeeq

Sri Lanka has made two changes to their T20I squad from the one that lost the series 3-0 to India for the three-match series against West Indies starting at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

The second and third T20Is are also scheduled at the same venue for 15 and 17 October. 

The squad of 17 includes hard hitting middle order batsman Bhanuka Rajapaksa and leg-spinner Jeffrey Vandersay. The only change from the 16-member squad selected for the Indian series in July is the exclusion of former white ball captain and all-rounder Dasun Shanaka.

Shanaka’s poor form with the bat sees the return of Rajapaksa into the T20I squad. Rajapaksa himself has not done anything outstanding in recent outings with St. Lucia Kings in the Caribbean Premier League where he passed fifty only once in six innings, but Sri Lanka’s lack of power hitters and his ability to clear the boundary are factors that weighed in his favour.

Shanaka who was at one time Sri Lanka’s white ball captain for both ODIs and T20Is finds himself now out of both formats. He lost his place in the ODI side after the Zimbabwe series at home in January 2024, and now finds himself left out of the T20I side.

With so many younger players coming through the system with Sri Lanka ‘A’ and emerging sides the pressure is on the experienced players to perform or be left out.

Shanaka’s place will be taken by up and coming fast bowling all-rounder 22-year-old Chamindu Wickramasinghe.

Vandersay has recently been in the mix after his match-winning six-wicket haul that gave Sri Lanka victory over India in an ODI match after three years in August. He was picked in the squad for the recent Test tour of England and retained for the home Test series against New Zealand. The right-arm leggie has made 14 T20I appearances the last of which was against India in 2022.

Charith Asalanka continues as Captain of Sri Lanka’s white ball teams.

Sri Lanka has not won a bilateral T20I series against West Indies in three attempts, the nearest they have come to is draw 1-all in 2015. The last two series they have lost 2-0 in Sri Lanka in 2020 and 2-1 in the West Indies in 2021.

SRI LANKA T20I SQUAD FOR WEST INDIES SERIES

Charith Asalanka (Captain), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Kamindu Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Avishka Fernando, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, Jeffrey Vandersay, Chamindu Wickramasinghe, Nuwan Thushara, Matheesha Pathirana, Binura Fernando, Asitha Fernando.