Wanindu Hasaranga ruled out of the T20I series against India

Sri Lanka all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga has been ruled out of the upcoming T20I series against India as he is yet to recover from Covid-19. However, the tour consists of three T20Is and two Tests. The all-rounder has contacted the virus during his team's tour of Australia earlier this month. In the latest round of RT-PCR testing, he has returned a positive result.

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Hasaranga was one of the three members of the visiting Sri Lanka team in Australia to test positive following the cases of Kusal Mendis and Binura Fernando. Moreover, he did not play more than two fixtures of the five-match series, which Sri Lanka lost 1-4. He returned with figures of 3/38 and 2/33 in those games.

Sri Lanka to play their first T20I against India at Lucknow's Ekana Stadium on February 24. The next two fixtures will be held in Dharmshala on consecutive days (February 26 and 27). Then it will go to the first Test in Mohali followed by a day-night Test in Bengaluru.

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Sri Lanka T20I Squad against India: 

The visitors named an 18-member squad on February 21 that had a maiden call-up for off-spinner Ashian Daniel. Hasaranga's exit on account of Covid-19 only waters Sri Lanka further down. Meanwhile, they do not have the services of Kusal Perera, Avishka Fernando (knee injury), Ramesh Mendis (thumb injury), Nuwan Thushara (side strain). Bhanuka Rajapaksa is also not a part of the squad. He could not meet the required fitness standards.

Dasun Shanaka (C)

Pathum Nissanka

Kusal Mendis

Charith Asalanka (vc)

Dinesh Chandimal

Danushka Gunathilaka

Kamil Mishara

Janith Liyanage

Chamika Karunaratne

Dushmantha Chameera

Lahiru Kumara

Binura Fernand

Shiran Fernando

Maheesh Theekshana

Jeffrey Vandersay

Praveen Jayawickrama

Ashian Daniel (Subjected to Ministerial approval)

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Meanwhile, Sri Lanka is not alone in missing out on players as India has also suffered a couple of blows. Deepak Chahar and Suryakumar Yadav were ruled out of the series. Chahar tore his hamstring during the third and final T20I in Kolkata against West Indies. He bowled only 11 balls before getting off the field. Surya, the Player of the Series, stood ruled out after suffering a hairline fracture on his hand.