It will be an advantage for India in the Asia Cup 2023 Final vs Sri Lanka on Sunday. The star Lankan spinner Maheesh Theekshana has strained his right hamstring on Thursday which could possibly rule him out of Sunday’s epic finale.
This injury to Maheesh Theekshana happened during Sri Lanka’s Asia Cup Super 4 match against Pakistan, which ended in a nail-biting win for the island nation in the last over.
“Maheesh Theekshana got hurt while he was fielding in the Sri Lanka-Pakistan game. To completely examine the player’s condition, a scan will be performed tomorrow,” according to a Sri Lanka Cricket Board official release.
Maheesh Theekshana likely to not play Asia Cup Final
On Thursday, Maheesh Theekshana, bowling for Sri Lanka, received the new ball and leaked just 14 runs in his first five overs.
In the 28th over, he returned to bowl, and just before the rain drove the players from the pitch, he sent Mohammad Nawaz back.
When he returned for another spell in the 35th over, he was clearly observed hobbling, and it appeared as though he had injured his hamstring. Theekshana walked off the pitch with support at the start of the 39th over and did not return, even though he went on to bowl three more overs.
It is very unlikely that Maheesh Theekshana will play in the Asia Cup Final vs India on Sunday. This is a huge setback for Sri Lanka who are already going through a bad injury crisis in their squad.
Given that ODI World Cup 2023 is fast approaching, SLC would want all its players fit and running soon.
In Sri Lanka’s ODI lineup, the spinner is crucial. With 31 scalps in 15 games at an average of 17.45, he leads the team in ODI wickets taken in 2023.
Should he stay healthy, Theekshana will unquestionably be a crucial component of Sri Lanka’s team at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in 2023. By September 28, teams must submit their complete tournament rosters.