Sri Lanka's Dushmantha Chameera Ruled Out of India Series Due to Injury

Sri Lankan pacer Dushmantha Chameera will miss the upcoming T20I and ODI series against India due to an injury. Chief selector Upul Tharanga confirmed the news, and a replacement will be announced soon. The series starts on July 27 with new head coaches for both teams.

Sri Lankan pacer Dushmantha Chameera has been ruled out of the upcoming home series against India due to an injury, according to ESPNcricinfo. The announcement came after Sri Lanka released their T20I squad for the series against India on Tuesday.

Speaking at a press conference, Sri Lanka's chief selector Upul Tharanga confirmed that Chameera would miss both the T20I and ODI series. Tharanga added that Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) would soon announce his replacement.

"Only yesterday did we get back the reports, and it can be confirmed that he will miss the T20Is and ODIs against India. We will name a replacement shortly," Tharanga said, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo. Potential replacements include Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka, or Kasun Rajitha.

Earlier this month, the 32-year-old pacer participated in the Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2024, representing the Kandy Falcons. India's tour of Sri Lanka will commence on July 27 with a three-match T20I series, followed by a three-match ODI series starting on August 2. The T20I series will be held at the Pallekele International Stadium, while the R Premadasa Stadium will host the ODI matches.

The ODI series is scheduled for August 2, August 4, and August 7. Both teams will be under new head coaches. Legendary all-rounder Sanath Jayasuriya has been appointed as the interim head coach for Sri Lanka, while former Indian opener Gautam Gambhir will begin his first assignment as India's head coach, succeeding Rahul Dravid.

India's previous tour of Sri Lanka for a bilateral white-ball series took place in July 2021, with Dravid coaching the Shikhar Dhawan-led squad. India won the ODI series 2-1, while Sri Lanka clinched the T20I series by the same margin. The announced Sri Lankan squad includes Charith Asalanka (captain), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Janith Perera (wicketkeeper), Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis (wicketkeeper), Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Maheesh Theekshana, Chamindu Wickramasinghe, Matheesha Pathirana, Nuwan Thushara, Dushmantha Chameera (replacement to be announced soon), and Binura Fernando.

(With inputs from agencies.)