The Sri Lankan Cricket Board on Wednesday named the 18-member national squad for the upcoming one-day international series in Bangladesh, surprising everyone by naming Kusal Perera as the captain with Kusal Mendis as his deputy.
Former captains Angelo Mathews, Dimuth Karunaratne and Dinesh Chandimal have been dropped as the Lankan selectors decided to go for youth rather than experience for the three-match series in Dhaka starting May 23.
Perera is the 9th Sri Lankan skipper in the last 5 years and is all set to lead the national team for the first time in his career. He did captain the Kandy Tuskers in the inaugural Lanka Premier League last year in which they finished last.
Kusal Mendis meanwhile, is going to return to the ODI team after more than a year and straightaway has been given the responsibility of vice-captaining the side.
Sri Lanka announce 18-man squad for 3-match ODI series vs Bangladesh.
Kusal Perera as Captain
Kusal Mendis as Vice CaptainREAD: https://t.co/Ucn0OTn4dX #SLvBAN pic.twitter.com/A7aivoNJUC
— Sri Lanka Cricket (@OfficialSLC) May 12, 2021
Sri Lanka is the only team out of the 12 participants which is yet to win a match in the inaugural ICC World Cup Super League after losing their first-three match against the West Indies last year.
The ODIs in Bangladesh will be the first for the Lankans in over a year. The visitors, who will leave for Bangladesh on May 16, will also play a tour match before the ODIs on May 21.
Sri Lanka ODI Squad: Kusal Perera (C), Kusal Mendis (VC), Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Asitha Fernando, Binura Fernando, Shiran Fernando, Danushka Gunathilaka, Pathum Nissanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Ashen Bandara, Niroshan Dickwella, Dasun Shanka, Isuru Udana, Dushmantha Chameera, Ramesh Mendis, Lakshan Sandakan, Akila Dhananjaya.
