Dickwella dropped for T20s

Wicket-keeper batsman Niroshan Dickwella has been excluded from the 15-man squad for the Tri-nation Nidahas Trophy tournament to be played in Colombo next week. Seamers Nuwan Pradeep, Suranga Lakmal, and batsman Dananjaya de Silva have returned to the side.

Sri Lanka host India and Bangladesh in a T20 series starting on March 6. Sri Lanka squad led by Dinesh Chandimal is also without regular skipper Angelo Mathews who is nursing from a hamstring injury suffered during the recent Bangladesh series. Mathews was expected to return to the side after completing the rehabilitation process but he has been advised further rest.

Lakmal who has been appointed vice-captain of the side will lead four-man fast bowling attack along with Pradeep, Dushmantha Chameera, and  Isuru Udana while Dasun Shanaka and  Thisara Perera will play as bowling allrounders,

Leg-spinner Jeffrey Vandersay who was with the T20 team in Bangladesh has also failed to earn a place in the side which has only two specialist spinners in Akila Dananjaya and Amila Aponso and Jeevan Mendis, the leg-spinning allrounder.

Kusal Mendis—the man-of-the-series in Bangladesh T20s has retained his place in the side and likely to open the batting with Danushka Gunathilaka.

Asela Gunaratne and Shehan Madushanka were all unavailable through injury. 

T20 squad: Dinesh Chandimal (capt), Upul Tharanga, Danushka Gunathilaka, Kusal Mendis, Dasun Shanaka, Kusal Perera, Thisara Perera, Jeevan Mendis, Suranga Lakmal, Isuru Udana, Akila Dananjaya, Amila Aponso, Nuwan Pradeep, Dushmantha Chameera, Dananjaya de Silva