Bhanuka Rajapaksa has been left out of Sri Lanka’s three-match T20I series in India, starting February 24. The left-hander has been dropped again after failing to fulfil the desired standards of fitness laid down by Sri Lanka Cricket.
The 30-year-old wasn’t considered for selection for the T20I series against Australia either in a matter that has gained controversial proportions and has raised debates if excessive focus on weight issues is denying Sri Lanka a competent batting option.
While Rajapaksa has been undoubtedly a bit of a liability in the fielding unit, his performances with the bat have been relatively okay. The 30-year-old made his 155 runs in the T20 World Cup in UAE with a strike-rate of 143.51 and has played a total of 18 T20Is for his national side.
His absence from the India series is contentious, particularly in the light of the Lanka lions’ disappointing 4-1 loss in Australia, where their underfiring batting unit was their biggest problem against the reigning world champions.
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But despite calls to revert their move, SLC authorities and the selectors are likely to remain firm over their view on necessary fitness standards each member of the national side is expected to abide by.
Earlier, Rajapaksa had found himself in the midst of a controversy when he announced his premature retirement from international cricket, a decision he revoked after being convinced by the Sri Lankan sports minister.
The selectors opted for a largely unchanged squad from the team that played Australia and included one new face in off-spinner Ashian Daniel after encouraging List A performances.
There are still three notable absentees, however, with batter Avishka Fernando out with a knee injury, which ESPNcricinfo reported, may require surgery. Allrounder Ramesh Mendis and seamer Nuwan Thusara are the other two players set to miss the India series because of injuries.
However, SL will also have Wanindu Hasaranga and Binura Fernando available for selection after having made recoveries from their respective Covid positive tests and served their required seven-day isolation period.
Lucknow will host the first T20I, before the series concludes in Dharamshala with matches on February 26 and 27.
