Who will return to the national team at the end of the LPL?
The fourth edition of the Lanka Premier League is scheduled to start on July 30. This tournament has given a huge opportunity to Sri Lankan players to book their places in the squad for the upcoming Asia Cup and the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup. Especially for the players who have represented the Sri Lanka ODI team for a while but have now lost their place, this will be a great opportunity to show their capacity in the limited-overs format.
Here the players who are looking forward to:
1. Angelo Mathews
Former captain and Sri Lanka’s most experienced player, Angelo Mathews, has been one of the main players in the Sri Lankan team over the past few years. However, he lost his place in the recently concluded ICC Men’s World Cup qualifier 2023 in Zimbabwe. Mathews was included in the Sri Lanka squad against Afghanistan, and he played only one ODI match in the three-match home series. He has played 221 matches and scored 5865 runs while picking up 120 wickets.
2. Kusal Perera
Former Sri Lanka captain and wicketkeeper batsman Kusal Perera is out of the team due to a shoulder injury. He played his last ODI in 2021 against England. However, after a long break, he is ready to play in the Sri Lanka Premier League in 2023. He is playing for Dambulla Aura in this year’s LPL. He has played 107 ODI matches and scored 3071 runs.
3. Dinesh Chandimal
Former Sri Lankan captain Dinesh Chandimal played his last ODI in 2022 against Afghanistan. Since then, he hasn’t played in the last few ODI series. Chandimal Has played 157 ODI matches and scored 3854 runs.
4. Avishka Fernando
25-year-old Sri Lankan opening batsman Avishka Fernando played his last ODI match in 2023 against India; since then, he has lost his place in the Sri Lanka team. He hasn’t had a good comeback after his knee injury, and he scored only 26 runs in the three-match series against India. Avishka Fernando has played 29 ODI matches and scored 990 runs.
5. Akila Dhananjaya
29-year-old Akila Dhananjaya has made a huge impact on the Sri Lankan team in the past few years. He played his last ODI in 2021 against South Africa. However, he played for Durban’s Super Giants in the inugural SA20 which held in South Africa. Akila Dhananjaya has played 39 ODI and claimed 56 wicket.
