Sri Lanka have announced their squad for the upcoming limited-overs series against India, with top-order batter Avishka Fernando returning to the side after performing well in the recently-concluded Lanka Premier League (LPL). Fernando will be joined by Sadeera Samarawickrama as well.
Both players have been included in both the T20I and ODI squads.
Fernando featured the last for Sri Lanka back in February, after which he was sidelined due to an injury. He will make his comeback to the team after an impressive run in the LPL. The 24-year-old was a key member of the Jaffna Kings side that secured their third straight title.
The duo were in great form, dominating the top two spots in the list for the most runs. While Fernando topped the charts with 339 runs to his name, while Samarawickrama finished with 294 runs to his name.
Meanwhile, as expected, Dasun Shanaka has been chosen as the captain for both teams, with Wanindu Hasaranga deputising in the T20I format and Kusal Mendis in the ODIs.
Sri Lanka Squad for India ODIs
Players Name | Date of Birth (age) | Role |
| Dasun Shanaka (C) | 9 September 1991 (age 31) | All-rounder |
| Pathum Nissanka | 18 May 1998 (age 24) | Batsman |
| Avishka Fernando | 5 April 1998 (age 24) | Batsman |
| Sadeera Samarawickrama | 30 August 1995 (age 27) | Wicket-keeper-batsman |
| Kusal Mendis (VC for ODIs) | 2 February 1995 (age 27) | Wicket-keeper batsman |
| Bhanuka Rajapaksa (only for T20Is) | 24 October 1991 (age 31) | Batsman |
| Charith Asalanka | 29 June 1997 (age 25) | Batsman |
| Dhananjaya de Silva | 6 September 1991 (age 31) | All-rounder |
| Wanindu Hasaranga (VC for T20Is) | 29 July 1997 (age 25) | All-rounder |
| Ashen Bandara | 23 November 1998 (age 24) | Batsman |
| Maheesh Theekshana | 1 August 2000 (age 22) | Bowler |
| Jeffrey Vandersay (only for ODIs) | 5 February 1990 (age 32) | Bowler |
| Chamika Karunaratne | 29 May 1996 (age 26) | All-rounder |
| Dilshan Madushanka | 18 September 2000 (age 22) | Bowler |
| Kasun Rajitha | 1 June 1993 (age 29) | Bowler |
| Nuwanidu Fernando (only for ODIs) | 1 June 1993 (age 29) | Bowler |
| Dunith Wellalage | 9 January 2003 (age 19) | Bowler |
| Pramod Madushan | 14 December 1993 (age 29) | Bowler |
| Lahiru Kumara | 13 February 1997 (age 25) | Bowler |
| Nuwan Thushara (only for T20Is) | 6 August 1994 (age 28) | Bowler |
Sri Lanka Tour of India 2023 schedule:
3 January - India vs Sri Lanka 1st T20I, Mumbai
5 January - India vs Sri Lanka 2nd T20I, Pune
7 January - India vs Sri Lanka 3rd T20I, Rajkot
10 January - India vs Sri Lanka 1st ODI, Guwahati
12 January - India vs Sri Lanka 2nd ODI, Kolkata
15 January - India vs Sri Lanka 3rd ODI, Trivandrum
Meanwhile, India will be led by a new skipper Hardik Pandya, and he will act as the deputy for the returning Rohit Sharma. This will not be his first experience as the skipper of the side, albeit his first time as captain was against minnows Ireland. Hardik was handed the task to spearhead the Indian pack on the Ireland tour, which the Men in Blue won 2-0. His prospects of leading India on significant tours are improved by the fact that he was in charge of the squad during the recently concluded T20I series against New Zealand, which India of 1-0. His deputy will be Suryakumar Yadav, a first for the explosive batter.