Sri Lanka will almost undoubtedly be without Dushmantha Chameera for the duration of the Asia Cup, and Wanindu Hasaranga is unlikely to be available for the group stage.
Kusal Perera and Avishka Fernando, who were expected to make the Asia Cup squad, have tested positive for Covid-19 and are currently being monitored. Their participation is contingent upon their rate of recovery.
Chameera sustained a shoulder injury during the recent Lanka Premier League (LPL), shortly after returning from ankle surgery.
He last appeared in an ODI on June 7, when he took 4 for 63 against Afghanistan. However, he did not participate in any official ODI World Cup qualifier matches due to an injury sustained during the tournament’s warm-ups.
Sri Lanka team manager Mahinda Halangoda told C2Dcricinfo that Chameera will likely be ruled out of the Asia Cup, though the board is awaiting confirmation from additional reports.
An Asia Cup XI Comprised The Continent’s Finest Players
Hasaranga missed the LPL final due to a strained quadriceps muscle. According to his management, Hasaranga is unlikely to be ready for Sri Lanka’s Asia Cup group stage matches against Bangladesh and Afghanistan.
And if Sri Lanka advance past the group stage, Hasaranga’s participation will depend on whether he can participate without incurring additional injury.
As a result of their desire to have Hasaranga available for the World Cup, Sri Lanka will be cautious with his reintroduction to first-class cricket. This is also true of Sri Lanka’s first-choice pace spearhead when healthy, Chameera.
Perera and Fernando were instructed to undergo Covid-19 tests only after exhibiting symptoms, according to Halangoda.
They are believed to have contracted the virus during the final phases of the LPL and must yield negative test results prior to becoming available.
Since January, Fernando has not participated in an ODI due primarily to injury. Since 2021, Perera has not participated in an ODI due to injury and poor form.
Hasaranga’s injury is particularly detrimental to Sri Lanka’s Asia Cup chances. He topped the rankings for wickets taken and runs scored in the LPL.
While Sri Lanka’s offence has functioned without Chameera, who has been frequently substituted by Dilshan Madushanka, Kasun Rajitha, and Asitha Fernando, they lack a tried-and-true replacement for Hasaranga.
