Off-spinner Ashian Daniel is the lone new face in an 18-member Sri Lanka squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series in India, while middle-order batsman Bhanuka Rajapaksa continued to be out of favour owing to fitness issues.

The 21-year-old Daniel has impressed the Lankan selectors with his form in List A cricket, though he hasn’t played many games. From 17 List A matches, Daniel has picked up 31 wickets at an impressive average of 12.38.

Sri Lanka are coming off a 1-4 loss in their T20I series in Australia and their first game against India is in Lucknow on Thursday.

Rajapaksa, who bats left-handed, has had weight and fitness problems and even though the Lankan middle-order has struggled of late, the selectors it seems are in no mood to compromise.

The team will be captained by all-rounder Dasun Shanaka.

The trio of batter Avishka Fernando, seamer Nuwan Thushara and spinner Ramesh Mendis are ruled out of the series after suffering injuries during the tour of Australia. Wanindu Hasaranga and Binura Fernando, both whom had recently tested positive for Covid-19, will however be available for the series.

Lanka squad: Dasun Shanaka (captain), Charith Asalanka (vice-captain), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, 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 (subject to ministerial approval)

(Written with agency inputs)