Sri Lanka learn their lessons the hard way

Strengthen batting with Chandimal and Kamindu Mendis for decisive 3rd T201

- By Saadi Thawfeeq

IT needed a right royal thrashing by 83 runs in the second T20I against Bangladesh at Dambulla, for Sri Lanka to realise that the batting combination they went with for that game was lopsided.

Sri Lanka went with only five specialist batsmen and paid the price when they were shot out for their lowest total on home soil -94.

Realising where they went wrong Sri Lanka has strengthened their batting for the third and final T20I at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium today by including Dinesh Chandimal and Kamindu Mendis. They replace the out of form Avishka Fernando and all-rounder Chamika Karunaratne.

Chandimal who will return to T20I cricket after a 3-year break will bat at no. 4, and Kamindu Mendis at either 6 or 7. Their presence will strengthen the batting line up which failed to chase down 178 at Dambulla.

Chandimal played his last T20I for Sri Lanka in February 2022 against India at Dharamsala, but has been playing T20 franchise cricket for Quetta Gladiators in the Pakistan Super League scoring 17, 48* and 22 in the final. Kamindu Mendis' last T201 appearance was against New Zealand last December, but he also figured in the IPL for Sunrisers Hyderabad.