IPL stars galore as Sri Lanka take on Australia in first T20I today
Dashun Shanaka-led team, routed 4-1 earlier this year, packs a punch at home
Colombo: Sri Lanka’s experienced allrounder Dasun Shanaka will captain the side while Indian Premier League (IPL) stars Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Chamika Karunaratne and Bhanuka Rajapaksa have also been included in the Playing XI for the opening T20 International against Australia to be played at the R. Premadasa Stadium here later on Tuesday.
The classy duo of Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis have also been named in the Sri Lanka top six, while there is no debut just yet for teenage quick Matheesha Pathirana, who recently returned from playing in the IPL.
Pathirana caught the eye with a distinctive bowling style very similar to Sri Lanka pace-bowling legend Lasith Malinga while playing for Chennai Super Kings, but he will have to wait for his chance to impress.
Sri Lanka fell to a 4-1 defeat during a five-game series in Australia earlier this year, but are expected to perform more strongly on home soil with games scheduled for Colombo and Galle.
Australia named their XI for the series opener on Monday with Aaron Finch captaining a strong side that is missing first-choice spinner Adam Zampa and Test skipper Pat Cummins.
Sri Lanka XI: Pathum Nissanka, Danushka Gunathilaka, Charith Asalanka, Kusal Mendis, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dasun Shanaka (c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Nuwan Thushara
Australia XI: Aaron Finch (c), David Warner, Mitch Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Steve Smith, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade, Ashton Agar, Mitchell Starc, Kane Richardson, Josh Hazlewood.