Bhanuka Rajapaksa named in T20I squad for Australia series

Leg spinner Wanindu Hasaranga and wicket keeper-batsman Bhanuka Rajapaksa have been recalled to Sri Lanka's T20I team for the upcoming three-match series versus Australia, scheduled to begin on June 7. Hasaranga was selected for their recent international tour to India earlier this year, but missed the T20Is due to covid, while Rajapaksa was left out citing fitness issues.

This duo returns with outstanding IPL exploits. Hasaranga completed with 26 wickets in a blockbuster IPL debut season with Royal Challengers Bangalore, narrowly missing out on the Purple Cap by one wicket. He last featured a T20I for Sri Lanka during their February visit to Australia, when he took five wickets in two games before missing the India tour.

However, Rajapaksa replaced experienced wicketkeeper Dinesh Chandimal in the team, who was axed after poor performances on white-ball tours to Australia and India. He scored 61 runs in four T20Is in Australia before being removed for last game, and 41 runs in three innings in India, with a maximum of 22. Along with Chandimal, Dhananjaya de Silva and Lahiru Kumara have been removed, while stand-by players Niroshan Dickwella and leggie Jeffrey Vandersay have been selected.

Sri Lanka have named Matheesha Pathirana, a 19-year-old speed star who recently received great appreciation by MS Dhoni in the IPL. CSK signed Pathirana as an alternative for Adam Milne after he impressed at the U-19 World Cup and has a similar slingy bowling style to Lasith Malinga. The right-arm fast appeared in two games for the team and has already been identified as a key bowler for next season.

Sri Lanka T20I squad: Dasun Shanaka (C), Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Chamika Karunaratne, Wanindu Hasaranga, Danushka Gunathilaka, Kusal Mendis, Dushmantha Chameera, Charith Asalanka, Kasun Rajitha, Maheesh Theekshana, Matheesha Pathirana, Praveen Jayawickrama, Lakshan Sandakan, Nuwanidu Fernando, Lahiru Madushanka, Pathum Nissanka, Nuwan Thushara, Ramesh Mendis