Dunith Wellalage Left Out as Sri Lanka Announces T20I Squad for New Zealand Tour 2024

Sri Lanka is keeping their 16-player group essentially the same for the T20 series in New Zealand happening later this month. Dunith Wellalage, who was played the recent matches against New Zealand last month was not in the team squad. On December 20, the Sri Lanka team will reach New Zealand for the T20I series.

The Sri Lanka Cricket Board hasn't shared the reason for Wellalage's exclusion from the squad, but it's likely because his spin bowling might not be as effective on New Zealand's pitches. Wellalage is currently playing in the Lanka T10 tournament for the Jaffna Titans.

Charith Asalanka to Lead Sri Lanka in New Zealand

The squad is mostly the same, except for Wellalage, and Charith Asalanka will lead the team. In this squad, the main hitters are included such as Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Perera, Kamindu Mendis, and Asalanka. Chamindu Wickramasinghe is the only seam-bowling all-rounder option for Sri Lanka. Chamindu Wickramasinghe will have a bigger role in the team in New Zealand's seam pitches.

Even though Dinesh Chandimal hasn't played a T20I since February 2022, he remained in the announced squad. Bhanuka Rajapaksa is also included in the team, even if he was just okay in the Abu Dhabi T10 and Sri Lanka's previous series against New Zealand.

Sri Lanka's Spin and Fast-Bowling Lineup for the T20 Series

Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, and Jeffrey Vandersay are the spin options for the team. The initial T20 games are occurring in Mount Maunganui. The team has taken a strong fast bowling unit with star players like Matheesha Pathirana, Nuwan Thushara, Asitha Fernando, and Binura Fernando, with Wickramasinghe providing backup.

Sri Lanka's Full T20I Squad:

Role	Player(s)
Batters	P. Nissanka, A. Fernando, K. Mendis, B. Rajapaksa
Wicketkeepers	K. Perera
All-rounders	C. Asalanka (c), Kamindu Mendis, D. Chandimal
Bowlers	W. Hasaranga, M. Theekshana, J. Vandersay, C. Wickramasinghe, M. Pathirana, N. Thushara, A. Fernando, B. Fernando

Sri Lanka vs New Zealand T20I series schedule:

Match	Date	Venue
1st T20I	December 28	Mount Maunganui
2nd T20I	December 30	Mount Maunganui
3rd T20I (Final)	January 2	Nelson