By S.R. Pathiravithana

T.M. Dilshan

Injured Lankan opening batsman is likely to return to the side for today’s return game against India in the triangular series game at the Played at Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur, Bangladesh.

According to Sri Lanka team manager Brendon Kuruppu Dilshan has recovered from his thigh muscle injury which he sustained while going for his century against Bangladesh in the opening game that helped Sri Lanka beat the hosts. He said “In all probabilities Dilshan who has recovered from his injury will be back in side and he will open the batting with his usual partner Upul Tharanga.”

On Friday, in their game against Bangladesh both Mahela Jayawardena and Upul Tharanga who opened the batting scored centuries putting a double century stand making 108 and 118 not out respectively.

When asked where Mahela Jayawardena would fit in case of Dilshan making his comeback Kuruppu said “If Dilshan is back in the opening slot, Jayawardena who scored a good century to beat Bangladesh will go back to his usual position at number four with Samaraweera stepping down to the fifth slot”.

At the same time the Lankan team manager reiterated that even though there is no significance in today’s game, the Lankan side will not let up in anyway and are looking for another win against India before the final on Wednesday.

Yesterday the Lankans did have a light session at the nets where only players who did not play in the game against Bangladesh had a bowl and a bat.

In the bowling department medium pacers Chanaka Welagedera and Suranga Lakmal who were rested for the game against Bangladesh are likely to come back, and added “Welagedera and Lakmal who were rested are very likely to take the field today, however the team management will not take the final decision of what the final combination would be till tomorrow morning”.

Welagedera bowled exceptionally well against India in the first game bagging a five wicket haul.
Finally Kuruppu quipped “We are very proud and happy that except for Mahela Udawatte and Dinesh Chandimal who were the last minute replacements, every member of the original touring squad played at least one match and almost every play has contributed towards the success so far”.