Meanwhile, Rajapaksa, 32, hasn’t played for Sri Lanka since January 2023, and doesn’t come in with a lot of form, having been only a middling performer for St Lucia Kings at the recently-concluded CPL. But he has been picked on past performances, as Sri Lanka seek hitters who can close out innings – a long-term problem for them.
Madushanka’s omission, meanwhile, is down to his having been too expensive in this format. After 15 matches, his economy rate is 9.75 – too high for a bowler who takes a wicket a match on average. But Sri Lanka have alternatives. Slingers Matheesha Pathirana, Nuwan Thushara, left-armer Binura Fernando, and right-arm seamer Asitha Fernando make up the frontline pace contingent.
On the spin-bowling front, Sri Lanka have Hasaranga, Vandersay, Maheesh Theekshana and Dunith Wellalage to choose from, with overs potentially to come from Kamindu Mendis as well. Test captain Dhananjaya de Silva has not made this squad.
The T20Is start on Sunday, and all three of them will be played in Dambulla.
Sri Lanka’s T20I squad against West Indies
Charith Asalanka (capt), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Kamindu Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Avishka Fernando, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage, Jeffrey Vandersay, Chamidu Wickramasinghe, Nuwan Thushara, Matheesha Pathirana, Binura Fernando and Asitha Fernando
