Hours before the team was scheduled to leave for the event in India, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dilshan Madushanka, and Maheesh Theekshana were reportedly appointed to Sri Lanka’s 15-person squad for the Cricket World Cup.
The names of the squad, approved by the sports minister, have not yet been officially released by Sri Lanka Cricket. However, it is believed that the squad’s overall makeup is largely as expected, with selectors restraining their urges to make significant changes in the wake of their Asia Cup final loss to India.
Hasaranga, an all-around player, was first believed to be fully ineligible for the competition due to a hamstring injury, but he has been added subject to fitness.
Due to this, SLC is forced to use up one of the 15 spaces in the squad for Hasaranga; otherwise, they would have to wait for an injury to occur to one of the team members before adding the all-rounder later in the competition.
Theekshana and Madushanka have also been included, pending fitness, despite the fact that they are both healing from injuries of their own.
Fast bowler Dushmantha Chameera, who is still recovering from a pectoral injury, is the only player who is completely absent.
Dasun Shanaka is still captain, while the rest of the team is the same as the one that advanced to the Asia Cup final.
