Published: Feb 06, 2016, 09:37 PM (IST)
Edited: Feb 06, 2016, 09:37 PM (IST)
Colombo: Wicketkeeper-batsman Niroshan Dickwella has been included in Sri Lanka‘s T20 squad against India as a replacement for Tillakaratne Dilshan, who will miss the opening game with a hand injury. The 39-year-old veteran batsman sustained injuries while attempting a catch during the semi-final of the recently-concluded Super T20 Provincial Tournament and is likely to join his team mates for the second match in Ranchi on February 12, ESPNcricinfo reported. Earlier, Lasith Malinga and Angelo Mathews were ruled out of the entire series due to their respective injuries. Dickwella, who has played four Tests and one ODI, has been rewarded for his good run in the Super T20 tournament where he accumulated 189 runs in six innings. He is yet to make his debut in the 20-over format. Live Cricket Scorecard: India vs Sri Lanka 2015-16, 1st T20I
The first match of the three-match series will begin on Tuesday. Dilshan is one of the mainstays in Sri Lanka’s batting. Earlier, he had smashed a cracking 91 to help Sri Lanka win by eight wickets against New Zealand in the third ODI of their limited-overs series against the kiwis. Sri Lanka knocked off their 277-run target with 22 balls to spare in a remarkable turnaround after being outplayed in the first two matches. In addition to Dilshan’s heroics, Lahiru Thirimanne cracked an unbeaten 87 and Danushka Gunathilaka made 65. Dinesh Chandimal was not out 27 at the end as the match followed the same formula as the first two where the team that lost the toss batted second and dominated.
