Dushmantha Chameera ruled out of India series

Dushmantha Chameera has been ruled out of the six-match white-ball home series against India, starting on July 27 (Saturday), due to an injury. 

"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,” ESPNcricinfo quoted Sri Lanka's chief selector Upul Tharanga as saying. 

The right-arm paceman has struggled quite a lot with injuries, especially since 2022. Chameera didn’t feature in the 2022 Asia Cup and T20 World Cup in Australia due to a calf injury. Then came a shoulder injury that ruled him out of the 2023 Asia Cup. 

He was recently selected for the 2024 T20 World Cup in the USA and the West Indies but didn’t play a single. Chameera played five games for Kandy Falcons in the Lanka Premier League 2024 but didn't feature in the latter half of the tournament.

Tharanga also confirmed that Angelo Mathews, 37, now won’t be considered for the 20-over format. "When we came in (as selectors) we spoke to Angie about playing in this past World Cup, that was the plan. But after the tournament we spoke again, and this time we told him he wasn't in our plans for the next World Cup.

"But during the brief time he was in the side after we brought him in, he played well. And in the LPL as well he did will as a finisher. But we need to look to the future. There's a big gap to fill when it comes to an allrounder in the side - we have about two-three new players in mind to slot into that role. We'll give them an opportunity and get them ready for the next World Cup."

The three T20Is will be played in Pallekele on July 27, 28 and 30. Meanwhile, the ODIs will be played in Colombo on August 2, 4 and 7.

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