Sri Lanka pacer Nuwan Thushara has been forced out of the series against the World Champions India after he suffered an injury to his left thumb during a fielding practice session last evening. The hosts have now faced a double blow after Thushara’s companion Dushmantha Chameera was ruled out yesterday.

Thushara rose to prominence because of his slingy action during the SA20 earlier this year, where he featured for MI Cape Town and picked up eight wickets in five games. He has continued his good form ever since and has been consistent most of the time. He registered his career-best figures 5 for 20 against Bangladesh, which also included a maiden over hattrick. He has also had a decent LPL season lately.

Dilshan Madhushanka who was initially dropped from the squad has been named as the replacement for the injured Thushara. This could well be a blessing in disguise for the left-arm pacer Madhushanka as he gets yet another go, to showcase his skills against one of the best teams in the world.

Madhushanka had featured for the Dambulla Sixers as well in the LPL but picked up only two wickets in six matches. He also missed the IPL earlier this year due to injury and did not feature for the Sri Lankan side in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup played last month.

Sri Lanka will take on India in three T20Is, which will be followed by three ODIs. The first game is set to be played in Kandy on the 27th of July.

Full squad: Charith Asalanka (c), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Janith Perera, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Chamindu Wickramasinghe, Matheesha Pathirana, Dilshan Madhushanka, Binura Fernando