Sri Lanka suffered a major setback during the ongoing ICC Men's Cricket World Cup after in-form speedster Lahiru Kumara was ruled out for the rest of the tournament due to a thigh injury on Sunday.
Kumara has been replaced in the squad by fast-bowler Dushmantha Chameera.
The pacer hurt his left thigh during training in Pune ahead of Sri Lanka's match against Afghanistan at MCA International Stadium on Monday.
“The Event Technical Committee of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 has approved Dushmantha Chameera as a replacement for Lahiru Kumara in the Sri Lanka squad,” the ICC stated.
“Chameera, who has played 44 ODIs, was named as a replacement after Kumara was ruled out due to a left thigh muscle injury sustained during training in Pune.
“The replacement of a player requires the approval of the Event Technical Committee before the player can be officially added to the squad.
“The Event Technical Committee of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 consists of Wasim Khan (ICC General Manager – Cricket and ETC Chair), Chris Tetley (ICC Head of Events), Hemang Amin (Acting CEO - BCCI), Gaurav Saxena (General Manager – Operations, BCCI), Russel Arnold and Simon Doull (Independent Representatives).”
Chameera has made more than 100 appearances for his country but Kumara’s absence will be felt since he played a key role in his side’s upset victory over England in Bengaluru on Thursday.
Kumara claimed key wickets of England captain Jos Buttler and all-rounders Ben Stokes and Liam Livingstone during Sri Lanka's win and has bagged five scalps in four matches at the tournament.
Chameera's inclusion means Sri Lanka have now replaced a total of three members into their 15-player squad since the beginning of the tournament, with Chamika Karunaratne and Angelo Mathews having already found a way into the group following the loss of skipper Dasun Shanaka (quad) and Matheesha Pathirana (shoulder) previously.
Sri Lanka currently have two wins from five matches at the World Cup and are in fifth place on the points table with four group matches remaining.
Sri Lanka squad: Kusal Mendis (c), Kusal Perera, Pathum Nissanka, Dushmantha Chameera, Dimuth Karunaratne, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, Kasun Rajitha, Angelo Mathews, Dilshan Madushanka, Dushan Hemantha, Chamika Karunaratne.