Youngsters should grab this opportunity says Chandimal
Best wishes to skipper Dinesh Chandimal from Ishika and his brother Imesh Madumal
This is akin to an odyssey to the unknown. Last afternoon a contingent of fifteen players took wing under stand-in captain – Dinesh Chandimal across the Palk Strait to take on a power packed Indian outfit on a three-match T-20 test of wits.
Already there are five players who would have been certain inclusions, but, have been given a respite from this exercise due to injury.
They are appointed Captain Lasith Malinga, vice captain Angelo Mathews, Rangana Herath, Nuwan Kulasekera, Nuwan Pradeep and rested T.M. Dilshan.
Replacing Dilshan was in form wicket-keeper batsman Niroshan Dickwella who has been in roaring form in recent times.
Yesterday morning the Lankan squad left the island accompanied by coach Graham Ford and Assistant coach and Manager Jerome Jayaratne and led by Dinesh Chandimal.
On the eve of their departure a rather circumspect Chandimal told the Sunday Times “There is a host of newcomers taking wing for this tournament and we are looking do well in spite of the daunting challenge head of us.
“I feel this will be a successful precursor to our endeavours at the Asia Cup and the T-20 World Cup, so as a young team we take this as an opportunity to acclimatise ourselves to conditions in India.
“At the same time we are well aware that we are missing the services of some of the most senior cricketers in the line-up for this tournament.
Nevertheless I know the team which is making this tour are also very skilful cricketers. Likewise even the Indian team is full of young players and during their last T-20 series against Australia the Indian team played very well.
However I feel that we would be able to do well ourselves during this tournament”
A task ahead of coach Graham Ford and assistant coach Jerome Jayaratne - Pix by Amila Gamage
Besides skipper Chandimal, players in the calibre of Sekkuge Prasanna, Milinda Siriwardena and Dhanushka Gunatilleke are well adapted to the T-20 game as batsmen while the bowlers to watch for Sri Lanka will be the pace-spin combination Dushmantha Chameera and Jeffrey Vandersay.
The squad: Dinesh Chandimal (Captain), Niroshan Dickwella, Seekuge Prasanna, Milinda Siriwardena, Dhanushka Gunathilaka, Thisara Perera, Dasun Shanaka, Asela Gunaratne, Chamara Kapugedera, Dushmantha Chameera, Dilhara Fernando, Kasun Rajitha, Binura Fernando, Sachithra Senanayake and Jeffrey Vandersay
