5 Sri Lankan players who got ruled out before Asia Cup 2023 Final

The defending champions of the continental tournament, the Asia Cup,  Sri Lanka have suffered numerous injuries from the team’s key players. Even before the tournament commenced, the hosts had to miss on four crucial players that could have brought a significant impact to the squad. Now ahead of the final game of the tournament, Sri Lanka have suffered a huge blow yet again as their ace bowler got injured. 

These injuries could impact Sri Lanka’s performance in the upcoming ODI World Cup 2023 wherein they qualified at the last moment after beating multiple teams in the ODI World Cup qualification tournament.

Let’s have a look at the 5 players who got ruled out before the Asia Cup 2023 final game – 

1 Wanindu Hasaranga – 

Wanindu Hasaranga is Sri Lanka’s ace all-rounder, who has consistently performed well for the team with both bat and the ball. Hasaranga’s tricky spin bowling has sent 67 batsmen back to the dugout in the ODIs while of a PIN of 91 batsmen in the T20Is. Hasaranga scored the highest number of runs along with being awarded as the player of the tournament in the latest edition of the Lanka premier league. However, the playoffs did not turn out to be good for Hasaranga as he got injured with a thigh strain, which got him ruled out of the Asia Cup, even before the tournament began. 

2 Maheesh Theekshana

Maheesh Theekshana recently got injured in the super fours stage of the Asia Cup, during the team match against Pakistan for the qualification of the final game against India. Theekshana pulled a Grade 3 hamstring injury. In the 5 matches, Maheesh Theekshana has picked up 8 wickets, and now the Sri Lanka team is expected to miss him in the final match of the Asia Cup and the initial matches of the ODI World Cup 2023. 

3 Dushmantha Chameera 

Another Sri Lankan fast bowler Dushmantha Chameera suffered a shoulder ligament tear injury during a match in the Lanka Premier League. Before the commencement of the domestic cricket league, Chameera recovered from an ankle injury, ahead of the ODI World Cup, the Sri Lanka cricket board decided to rest Chameera as a precaution for the world’s biggest cricket tournament. 

4 Dilshan Madushanka 

Dilshan Madushanka got injured during the practice sessions for the Asia Cup, 2023. Sri Lanka was scheduled to play its first match of the tournament against Bangladesh on 31 August, ahead of the first match, Dilshan Madushanka tore an oblique muscle on 25 August, while practising for the game, which also cost him a doubtful participation in the upcoming ODI World Cup. 

5 Lahiru Kumara

Lahiru Kumara suffered a recurring side strain before the Asia Cup, 2023 commenced. The injury resulted in him missing out on the tournament. The Sri Lankan fast bowler, Lahiru Kumara’s injury seems to be less lethal than that of the others present on this list, and he is expected to come back soon, especially for the ODI World Cup.