Injury setback for Sri Lanka as three players ruled out of second T20I due to injury

When things go downhill, then nothing seems to be going right for the team. In a major injury blow to the hosts, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Charith Asalanka, and Pathum Nissanka have been ruled out of the second T20I against India, as confirmed by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC).

Rajapaksa and Asalanka are two vital members of the Sri Lanka team and their absence will hamper the team's chances against India. Rajapaksa scored a vital fifty for the team in the third ODI while Asalanka too chipped in with a useful contribution of 44 runs in the first T20 match. The duo was one of the bright spots for the home side, in an otherwise dismal looking performance by the team in the four white-ball matches against a second-string Indian side. While Asalanka is dealing with a hamstring injury, Rajapaksa is ruled out due to a finger injury.

Meanwhile, Nissanka got hit on his arm during the net session and won’t feature in the match, as reported by Cricket Next. Already with three seniors’ players suspended due to a breach in bio-bubble in England, the Sri Lankan team has become a pale shadow of the past mighty team of the 90s

With the second T20I game a must-win encounter, the Lankan Lions were hoping to put in a spirited performance against India but it seems there is no respite for the team at the moment. However, there is still a glimmer of hope for Sri Lanka and they can take heart from the fact that they showed some fight at least in four white-ball matches in the series.