Sri Lanka name squad for West Indies T20Is, Dasun Shanaka excluded

Left-handed batter Bhanuka Rajapaksa made a comeback as Sri Lanka named a strong squad for their T20I series against West Indies, starting October 13.

In Short

• Dasun Shanaka has been left out of the squad
• Bhanuka Rajapaksa earned a recall to the national team
• The T20I series will begin on October 13

Former skipper Dasun Shanaka was a notable absentee in Sri Lanka's T20I squad for the upcoming bilateral series against West Indies. From the team that beat India 2-1 in the T20Is in July, Shanaka and pacer Dushmantha Chameera were the only ones to miss out. Meanwhile, middle-order batter Bhanuka Rajapaksa earned a recall to the squad for the first time since January 2023.

Rajapaksa last donned the national colours back in January 2023. The left-handed batter played in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) and played a crucial role in Galle Marvels qualifying for the final in the Lanka Premier League in July.

Charith Asalanka will captain the squad with former skipper Wanindu Hasaranga, who stepped away from the role after the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024, leading a strong spin attack that has the likes of Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, and Dunith Wellalage in the mix.

Vandersay played a starring role in the ODI series against India in August, taking a career-best 33/6, and is set to play his first T20I in over two years. In 14 T20Is, Vandersay has taken only seven wickets at an economy rate of eight.

Matheesha Pathirana, Binura Fernando and Asitha Fernando will form the fast-bowling attack. Kamindu Mendis has been stupendous in Test cricket and he would want to put on a similar showing in the T20 format.

The series between Sri Lanka and West Indies is scheduled to begin on 13 October, followed by matches on 15 and 17 October, with Dambulla set to host all three games.

Sri Lanka squad for West Indies T20Is

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