Sri Lanka suffered a massive blow ahead of their ICC World Cup opener against South Africa which will be played at Arun Jaitley Stadium, Central Delhi, India on Saturday.
The Islanders' star spinner Maheesh Theekshana has been ruled out of the match against the Proteas as the 23-year-old still has not recovered from the hamstring injury he picked during the Asia Cup 2023 last month.
Theekshana's participation in the mega event was always a matter of doubt ever since he was ruled out of the Asia Cup final against India.
The 23-year-old's injury massively weakens the already-struggling Sri Lankan department as their star all-rounder, Wanindu Hasaranga, could not make it to the squad for the World Cup following a hamstring tear.
Theekshana is one of the most important bowlers of Sri Lanka as he has 44 wickets to his name in just 27 One Day International (ODI) matches.
With the right-armer's injury, Sri Lanka are left with three spinners in Dunith Wellalage, Dushan Hemantha and Dhanjaya de Silva.
On the other hand, their opener Kusal Parera, who was forced to leave the field during their warm-up match against Bangladesh following shoulder discomfort, will be returning from an injury.
Meanwhile, Kusal Perera's form is something the Islanders will surely count on as the right-handed batter scored a massive 158 off just 87 balls against Afghanistan in the second warm-up match, his blistering knock included 19 fours and nine sixes.
Sri Lanka will also be without 31-year-old quick Dushmantha Chameera for the World Cup after he did not recover in time from a torn pectoral muscle. Lahiru Kumara and Dilshan Madushanka, who were injured for the Asia Cup, have been picked in the World Cup squad after passing fitness tests.
Sri Lanka squad for World Cup
Dasun Shanaka (c), Kusal Mendis (vc), Kusal Perera, Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dushan Hemantha, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, Kasun Rajitha, Matheesha Pathirana, Lahiru Kumara, Dilshan Madushanka