Injured Madushanka ruled out of T20 World Cup
Cricket showed its cruel side on Saturday as a serious injury ended Dilshan Madushanka’s chance of making his first ever appearance at a World Cup.
The rookie left-arm seamer, who was to share the new ball with speedster Dushmantha Chameera in today’s curtain raiser in the qualifying round against Namibia at Kardinia Park in Geelong, left the training session just four balls into his second over nursing his hip on Saturday morning.
Sri Lanka skipper Dasun Shanaka's eyes focused on the ICC T20 World Cup
Although initial signs were not severe, the team sources confirmed from Melbourne that the 22-year-old has suffered a quadriceps injury. An MRI performed yesterday showed a right upper quadriceps muscle injury. This requires at least four weeks of rest—a devastating news to the rising star.
This was a major blow to him personally as his dream of playing at a World Cup was shattered just a day ahead of the tournament getting underway. It was also a setback for the team as he adds value to the seam bowling attack.
Madushanka made his debut at the Asia Cup and his performance, particularly against India, had caught the attention of many. He flattened the stumps twice, including that of Virat Kohli, to record his best bowling figures of 3-24 in his short six match career. He is also economical in bowling with 7.75 at present.
Former Sri Lanka seamer Suranga Lakmal this week told the Sunday Times that he expects the young seamer to shine at the World Cup.
“I see something special in him,” he said.
“He has the pace and also generates a good bounce. This will come to good effect in Australian conditions. Besides, after a memorable debut at the Asia Cup, he must be in a very good mental state, even though he is one of the least experienced bowlers around in the tournament.”
But these predictions are now of no use as he is most likely to return home for recovery and rehabilitation, with selectors expected to announce a replacement soon.
Dilshan Madushanka
This means either right-arm seamer Kasun Rajitha or left-arm seamer Binura Fernando will join the side during the next few days. Both seamers missed the Asia Cup as they were nursing injuries. Fernando is among the five standbys for the World Cup but selection sources said they might bring Rajitha into the mix ahead of Fernando.
In Madushanka’s absence, right-arm seamer Pramod Madushan is expected to make the cut ahead of Lahiru Kumara, who is returning after a lengthy injury lay-off. Kumara has not played any international cricket since March 2022. Madushan will share the new ball with Chameera—the first choice seamer.
Madushan, though new in the international scene, played a key role in Sri Lanka’s Asia Cup campaign. He picked up six wickets in just two games, including 4-34 in the Asia Cup final.
Having won five of the last six internationals, Sri Lankan players are brimming with confidence ahead of the tournament opener and it’s unlikely they would make any changes to the batting line-up that won the Asia Cup. This means Charith Asalanka, who was a key player at 2021 T20 World Cup, will sit it out and be replaced with Dhananjaya de Silva (a batting all-rounder batting at number 3) followed by Danushka Gunathilaka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dasun Shanaka, Wanindu Hasaranga and Chamika Karunaratne in the batting order.
While the conditions in Australia largely suit fast bowlers, Sri Lanka will pin hopes on Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana, two world class spinners, to help Sri Lanka’s campaign to win its second World T20 crown. Sri Lanka, finalist, in 2009 and 2012, lifted the title in 2014, beating India in a low-scoring final.
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