Dhananjaya De Silva is such a valuable asset – Lasith Malinga

International cricket commentator Roshan Abesingha tweeted and said that Sri Lankan all-rounder Dhananjaya De Silva was not included in the team because he refused to bat at No. 7 in the first match of the series between Sri Lanka and New Zealand.

Cricketer Dhananjaya de Silva refuses to bat at No. 7 in tomorrow's match against New Zealand & hence not included in the team. He is tipped to miss the next two matches as well –

— Roshan Abeysinghe (@RoshanCricket) March 24, 2023

Sri Lankan legend Lasith Malinga expressed his thoughts on the team’s decision to drop Dhananjaya de Silva via Twitter.”Dhananjaya De Silva is such a valuable asset to any international cricket team,” Lasith Malinga said. “He is a proper top-order batsman who must play in the top 4 on any condition with any team combination, and his bowling adds a lot of value as well,” he added.

Dhananjaya De Silva is such a valuable asset to any international cricket team. He is a proper top order batsman who must play in the top 4 on any condition with any team combination. His bowling adds a lot of value as well. #NZvSL

— Lasith Malinga (@malinga_ninety9) March 24, 2023

However, Dhananjaya de Silva tweeted that the report that he was refused to bat at No. 7 in tomorrow’s game was false. 

The story circulating in social media saying that I have refused to bat at No. 7 during tomorrow's game is false, and I wish to state that I am a player who always stands with the team.

— Dhananjaya De Silva (@dds75official) March 24, 2023