HIGHLIGHTS

• Sri Lanka will play 3 ODIs and as many T20Is against India in Colombo
• Wicketkeeper Kusal Perera’s injury a huge setback to struggling Sri Lankan team
• Sri Lanka are yet to announce their squads for the series against India

Sri Lanka have suffered a big setback ahead of their limited-overs series against India as their former captain and wicketkeeper Kusal Perera has been ruled out of both the ODI and T20I series due to a shoulder injury.

Fast bowler Binura Fernando has also been ruled out of the ODi series, starting July 18 with an injury he picked up during Sri Lanka’s training camp in Colombo. Fernando sprained his ankle and will not be available for the 3-match fixture.

“Kusal Janith Perera will not be able to take part in the ODI and the T20I series against India owing to an injury. The wicket-Keeper batsman suffered a right shoulder sprain during training,” SLC said in a statement.

“Fast Bowler Binura Fernando sprained his left ankle during a practice session held yesterday (15th July, 2021). It’s a lateral ligament sprain. Fernando will be unavailable for the ODI series of the India Tour of Sri Lanka,” it added.

Sri Lanka are facing a headache as they don’t have a first-choice wicketkeeper-batsman. With Kusal Perera out injured, they can’t look at Niroshan Dickwella as the wicketkeeper has been suspended following a breach of bio-secure protocols during their tour of England.

All-rounder Dasun Shanaka is expected to lead the Sri Lanka side which recently completed their mandatory quarantine period following positive Covid-19 cases in their camp. Sri Lanka are yet to announce their squad for the limited-overs series.

India and Sri Lanka will begin their 3-match ODI series on July 18, following a postponement. The tour was initially scheduled to get underway on July 13 but it was delayed after positive cases in the hosts camp. The T20I series between the two sides will get underway in Colombo from July 25.