Kumar Sangakkara doubtful for India tour with back injury

Kumar Sangakkara is doubtful for India tour with a back injury

Ace Sri Lankan batsman Kumar Sangakkara has reportedly sustained a niggle in his spine during the training ahead of the 5-match ODI series against India.

Sri Lanka chief selector Sanath Jayasuriya told Daily Mirror that Sri Lanka is likely to play Niroshan Dickwella, the 21-year-old wicket keeper batsman, if Sangakkara is deemed unfit for the series ahead.

“We indeed have a few injury worries, but it would also give us an opportunity to test the young players before the World Cup,” Jayasuriya said.

Thisara Perera has an injured hamstring which he suffered during the Champions League T20 in India, while Lasith Malinga, the leader of the pace attack is recovering from an ankle surgery.

Perera missed the rigorous fitness training programme that is being conducted by Sri Lanka Cricket to enhance the fitness levels of the Sri Lankan cricketers ahead of the 2015 World Cup. Suranga Lakmal, a regular in the Test side is also carrying an injury, and is likely to miss the Indian tour.

Jayasuriya suggested that the 30-year-old all-rounder Farveez Maharoof and Shaminda Eranga are likely to be a part of the touring party that will play a total of 5 ODIs in India. Sources from SLC have also revealed that senior men in the team might be given a rest, considering the hectic schedule of Sri Lankan team before the World Cup, which may be taxing for the seniors.

SLC gave a hint of their plans when they stated on Monday that “SLC believes that this tour will be a good opportunity for the fringe players to show their talent to be in the reckoning for the upcoming World Cup”.

Arjuna Ranatunga has also lambasted the board’s decision to play a hastily arranged series with the Indians, saying that “if our players are tired when the World Cup starts, we will have a big problem at our hands”.

Sri Lanka will play a whopping number of 19 ODIs and three Tests ahead of the World Cup and the catalogue of casualties has given a lot of concerns to both fans and officials.