IPL 2022: Only Sri Lanka batsman in IPL Bhanuka Rajapaksa dropped for ‘poor fitness’, did PBKS make a mistake? – Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) announced the 18-man squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against India and there are a few surprises, with Bhanuka Rajapaksa failing to make the cut. However, what is more surprising is the reason for Rajapaksa’s omission, as the batter has failed to meet fitness guidelines. Besides the Sri Lankan team, this news has left Punjab Kings sweating ahead of IPL 2022. Follow IND vs SL and IPL 2022 live updates on InsideSport.IN.
Rajapaksa is currently one of Sri Lanka’s most reliable batters in the white-ball format. He has scored 320 runs in only 15 T20I innings at an average of over 25 and an impressive strike rate of nearly 140. Owing to his consistent performances with the bat, Punjab Kings bought him for INR 50 lakhs in the IPL 2022 auction, making him the lone Sri Lankan batter to be sold at the auction.
IPL 2022: Only Sri Lanka batsman in IPL Bhanuka Rajapaksa dropped from SL squad for ‘poor fitness’, did PBKS make a mistake?
Bhanuka Rajapaksa has been dropped on the basis that as he has not yet achieved the necessary skinfold levels https://t.co/Z1xfiN3CgN
— Azzam Ameen (@AzzamAmeen) February 21, 2022
However, it was reported on Monday that Rajapaksa has not been included in the Dasun Shanaka-led 18-man squad as he has failed to meet the required ‘skinfold’ level, which simply is a way of calculating body fat composition. With the 2022 season of IPL being around the corner, it will now be interesting to see how the 30-year-old batter regains match fitness in a month’s time. As for the series, Sri Lanka will play three T20I matches against India – two at Dharamshala and one at Lucknow, before clashing in two Test matches at Mohali and Bengaluru.
SL Squad India Series: T20I Squad
- Dasun Shanaka – Captain
- Pathum Nissanka
- Kusal Mendis
- Charith Asalanka – Vice-Captain
- Dinesh Chandimal
- Danushka Gunathilaka
- Kamil Mishara
- Janith Liyanage
- Wanindu Hasaranga
- Chamika Karunaratne
- Dushmantha Chameera
- Lahiru Kumara
- Binura Fernando
- Shiran Fernando
- Maheesh Theekshana
- Jeffrey Vandersay
- Praveen Jayawickrama
- Ashian Daniel
IPL 2022: Only Sri Lanka batsman in IPL Bhanuka Rajapaksa dropped from SL squad for ‘poor fitness’, did PBKS make a mistake?
| Sri Lanka tour of India, 2022 | ||||
| Sr. No. | Day | Date | Match | Venue |
| 1 | Thursday | 24th February | 1st T20I | Lucknow |
| 2 | Saturday | 26th February | 2nd T20I | Dharamsala |
| 3 | Sunday | 27th February | 3rd T20I | Dharamsala |
| 4 | Friday | 4th-8th March | 1st Test | Mohali |
| 5 | Saturday | 12th -16th March | 2nd Test (D/N) | Bengaluru |
IPL 2022: Only Sri Lanka batsman in IPL Bhanuka Rajapaksa dropped from SL squad for ‘poor fitness’, did PBKS make a mistake?
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