Sri Lankan seamer Nuwan Thushara's injury has become a significant loss for the national team as they prepare for the T20I series against India, starting July 27 at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium. Thushara suffered a fracture to his left thumb while fielding during practice on July 24, which will prevent him from participating in all three matches of the series.
Thushara has been a valuable asset to the Sri Lankan bowling attack, having played nine T20Is and taken 19 wickets at an impressive average of 14.57. His standout performances this year include a hat-trick against Bangladesh and his best figures of 5/20. He was also the top wicket-taker for Sri Lanka in the recent 2024 T20 World Cup, accumulating eight wickets at an exceptional average of 7.52.
With Thushara ruled out, Dilshan Madushanka has been named as his replacement. Madushanka has played 14 T20Is, claiming 14 wickets with a higher average of 30.92. Although he showcased his skills in the recent Lanka Premier League, he had a challenging tournament, managing only two wickets in six matches.
This injury blow comes after Dushamantha Chameera was also ruled out of the series, raising concerns about Sri Lanka's bowling depth ahead of the fixtures against India. The team will need to regroup and adapt quickly to fill the gaps left by these key players.