India vs Sri Lanka: Lasith Malinga 'rested' for T20s, Vishwa Fernando called up

Whenever the most successful bowlers of cricket history are mentioned, the name of Sri Lankan pace bowler Lasith Malinga is definitely coming in. Malinga has done his job to get his team out of trouble many times with his bowling. He also played several matches for the Mumbai Indians in IPL. But in major setback to Sri Lankan pacer, he has been rested from the series against India starting on December 20 in the three T20 matches. Sri Lankan team was announced on Friday for the T-20 series. Sri Lanka sports minister Dayasiri Jayasekara said that Malinga has been given rest for no reason. Although Malinga played for Rangpur Riders in the Bangladesh Premier League and then he left the league in the middle and returned to Sri Lanka for preparations for India tour.

Malinga's team, Rangpur Riders won the title of BPL and claimed the title. In this match Malinga was not with the team because he was preparing for the tour of India. But now reports are erupting that Sri Lankan selectors have not given him place in the team. Sri Lankan team has been announced for the Twenty20 series against India, in which Malinga's name is not included.

Senior player Suranga Lakmal and Lahiru Thirimanne have also been given rest while Vishwa Fernando and Dasun Shanaka have got place in the team. The first T20 match will be played in Cuttack whereas the second and last matches will be held in Indore and Mumbai on December 22 and 24 respectively.

Sri Lanka Squad

Thisara Perera(c), Upul Tharanga, Angelo Mathews, Kusal Janith Perera, Danushka Gunathilaka, Niroshan Dickwella, Asela Gunaratne, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Dasun Shanaka, Chaturanga de Silva, Sachith Pathirana, Dananjaya De Silva, Nuwan Pradeep, Vishwa Fernando, Dusmantha Chameera.