ICC Champions Trophy 2017: Angelo Mathews, Asela Gunaratne to return early from IPL for preparations

Sri Lanka‘s captain Angelo Mathews and youngster Asela Gunaratne are set to return to the national squad from the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2017 edition to prepare for ICC Champions Trophy 2017. The subcontinental side were eliminated in the last edition of the ‘mini World Cup’ in 2013 to defending champions, India. Currently languishing at the sixth spot in the ICC ODI rankings, Sri Lanka will be itching to climb up the ladder by performing well in the mega event to be held in England and Wales. Sri Lanka’s skipper Mathews has been out of the national side since his side’s tour to South Africa early in 2017 whereas Gunaratne was their vital cog especially in the three-match T20I series versus Australia Down Under. Sri Lanka has potential to win Champions Trophy 2017

Mathews is currently involved with bottom-lying Delhi Daredevils (DD) in IPL 10, while Gunaratne is in Mumbai Indians’ (MI) camp. While DD are struggling to survive in the 10th edition, MI are leading the points table and are favourites to go the distance this time around. Talking about the two players’ contribution in IPL 10, both of them have done nothing noteworthy.

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Sri Lanka recall Angelo Mathews (9th May) and Asela (01 May) from IPL to prepare for Champions Trophy. Malinga to play entire IPL #SriLanka

— Daniel Alexander (@daniel86cricket) May 2, 2017

Gunaratne is yet to debut for MI, whereas Mathews has played a couple of matches but was a shadow of himself in DD’s jersey. Mathews will be eager to join Sri Lanka’s camp ahead of the marquee event in England as he has been out of action for long. In his absence, the Asian side were led by Upul Tharanga, who led them successfully against Australia and levelled the ODI and T20Is series versus Bangladesh at home.