Sri Lankans in the IPL 2022; Squad predictions

March 25, 2022

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The much-anticipated ten-team Indian Premier League 2022 is set to begin on the 26th of March in Mumbai.

Sri Lankans in the IPL 2022; Squad predictions

Five Sri Lankan players are set to feature for five franchises in the tournament which will run up till 29th May. Here’s a look at the Sri Lankan player availability and their chances of making the playing XIs of their respective franchises.

Wanindu Hasaranga – Royal Challengers Bangalore

Sri Lankans in the IPL 2022; Squad predictions

After being bought for a whopping 10.75 INR Crores, Wanindu Hasaranga could well play all the games for RCB if he stays fit and performs up to the expectations of the team management. With his ability to contribute with the bat, Hasaranga should be an automatic choice for RCB. Hasaranga is available for the entire duration of the tournament.

Read : IPL-2022 හොදම තරු අතරට වනිදු හසරන්ගත්!

Dushmantha Chameera – Lucknow Super Giants

Sri Lanka’s fast-bowling spearhead, Dushmantha Chameera is fully fit and could well be available for the new franchise throughout the competition. However, Sri Lanka is set to play two Tests against Bangladesh in May and if selected in the squad, Chameera’s participation in the IPL 2022 could cut short. Even though he did not play a single game last season with RCB, Chameera is set to play the first few games for LSG after England seamer Mark Wood was ruled out of the IPL due to an elbow injury. The likes of Marcus Stoinis, Jason Holder and Kyle Mayers will miss the first 2-3 games, therefore Chameera should get an extended run as the foreign seamer.

Bhanuka Rajapaksa – Punjab Kings

Picked to play in the IPL for the first time, Bhanuka Rajapaksa has a strong chance of making the Punjab Kings playing XI in the first few games due to unavailability of Jonny Bairstow, who is with the England Test team in West Indies. Rajapaksa, renowned for his strong stroke-play could slot into the middle order of Punjab Kings. Apart of Bairstow and Rajapaksa, Liam Livingstone is the only other foreign batter in their squad. Rajapaksa, who last played for Sri Lanka in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 in the UAE, will be available for the entire IPL.

Chamika Karunaratne – Kolkata Knight Riders

Sri Lankan all-rounder Chamika Karunaratne will find it very tough to make it into the KKR playing XI with Andre Russell being their first choice fast-bowling all-rounder. With the likes of Sunil Narine, Pat Cummins, Mohammad Nabi and Tim Southee also in the squad, Karunaratne might warm the bench than the other Sri Lankans. Karunaratne could also make the Sri Lanka Test squad for the Bangladesh tour, therefore his availability for the entire tournament is uncertain. If he’s not picked for the Bangladesh tour, Karunaratne should remain with KKR throughout the tournament.

Read :ලොව අංක එකේ ක්‍රිකට් ලීගය හෙටින් ඇරඹේ

Maheesh Theekshana – Chennai Super Kings

Young Sri Lankan mystery spinner, Maheesh Theekshana has a strong chance of playing the curtain raiser against KKR on 26th of March due to the late arrival of Moeen Ali into the team bubble. With plenty of left-handers in the KKR line-up, Theekshana could be a useful bowler for the defending champions. As the tournament is being played at only four venues, Theekshana could come into the playing XI towards the latter part of the tournament as well. The 21-year old Sri Lankan will be available for selection for the entire IPL.

ලොව අංක එකේ ක්‍රිකට් ලීගය හෙටින් ඇරඹේ

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