Internet Desk: The Sri Lankan cricketers on Tuesday attended a Pirith ceremony ahead of their tour to India tomorrow. The entire team including captain Dinesh Chandimal was present for the religious observance. The team will depart India in the morning to Kolkata. Angelo Mathews and co will hit the training session from Thursday. The cricketers from the Emerald Isle will play a three day practice match against Board President’s XI starting from November 11.
The Sri Lankan captain is known to be superstitious. He was famous for his recent submission after the test series win over Pakistan. Chandimal credited the clean sweep in test series to witchcraft. He admitted he had received a special blessing from a ‘meyni’, or sorcerer, ahead of the two-match series in the United Arab Emirates.
“I am always ready to accept the blessings of anyone – whether it is a meyni or any clergy,” Chandimal told reporters after returning to Colombo.
Meanwhile the Sri Lankan selectors dropped batsman Kusal Mendis from their 15-member squad while Angelo Mathews returned to lead the side in the upcoming tour of India. Mendis was also omitted from the team that emerged victorious against Pakistan in the recent Test series held in the UAE.
Mathews was ruled out of the Test series against Pakistan due to a calf muscle injury. Middle-order batsman Roshen Silva is the only uncapped player.
Sri Lanka are slated to play three Tests, three ODIs and as many T20 Internationals in India.
The squad will leave for Kolkata on Wednesday.
Squad: Dinesh Chandimal (captain), Dimuth Karunaratne, Dhananjaya de Silva, Sadeera Samarawickrema, Angelo Mathews, Lahiru Thirimnne, Rangana Herath, Suranga Lakmal, Dilruwan Perera, Lahiru Gamage, Lakshan Sandakan, Vishwa Fernanado, Dasun Shanaka, Niroshan Dickwella and Roshen Silva.