Barring a handful of changes, a similar Sri Lanka like the one that earlier faced the Kiwis at home, have flown to New Zealand for a white ball tour. The Islanders will play three T20Is and an equal number of ODIs, making it the second time they will bilaterally face the Black Caps within a year.
Sri Lanka squad for T20I series in New Zealand
Dunith Wellalage is the only player from the team that faced New Zealand in November, to be missing out on the away tour. The reason behind this decision is probably because the rookie spinner’s skillset does not match the kind of fast bowling-friendly conditions in New Zealand. But even without Wellalage, Sri Lanka have a decent bowling lineup with pacers that gave the Black Caps a hard time even on spinning conditions back home.
The team will be led once again by Charith Asalanka, who will also be among the highly in-form Sri Lankan batters including Kusal Mendis, Pathum Nissanka, Kamindu Mendis, Kusal Perera, and Avishka Fernando.
Dinesh Chandimal has again been added to the squad, though he last played a white-ball game almost two years ago.
T20I Squad: Charith Asalanka (capt), Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis, Kusal Perera, Avishka Fernando, Kamindu Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Bhanuka Rajapaksha, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Chamindu Wickramasinghe, Matheesha Pathirana, Nuwan Thushara, Asitha Fernando, Binura Fernando
Sri Lanka squad for ODI series in New Zealand
The ODI side will see a few more changes, but largely the squad will remain the same too. Uncapped fast bowler Eshan Malinga might get his maiden international cap during the tour after the selectors could no longer ignore him following his selection by Sunrisers Hyderabad in the recent IPL mega-auction. The young fast bowler is on his way to making a name for himself when it comes to fast bowling talent. His pace will be multi-fold more lethal in New Zealand and would make a wonderful addition to Sri Lanka’s growing fast-bowling coterie.
In addition to Malinga, Lahiru Kumara has been added to the squad at the expense of Dilshan Madushanka, who seems to have lost his mojo after the ODI World Cup, where he took 21 wickets in 9 games. Since then, he has only taken 14 wickets at an average of more than 30.
Another exclusion is Sadeera Samarawickrama, who will be replaced by Nuwanidu Fernando. Samarawickrama averages less than half of what he did last year, having scored 273 runs in 18 games since the start of 2024. Fernando, though, has not played any international games lately, he has been added for his aggressive style of cricket.
Wanindu Hasaranga will lead the spin attack on his return from his hamstring injury, which saw him miss the home ODIs versus New Zealand. He will have the assistance of Wellalage, Theekshana, and Jeffrey Vandersay.
The first game of the tour will be a T20I match, set to be played on December 28. While the ODI tour will be the last bilateral series before the Champions Trophy for the Kiwis, Sri Lanka have a one-off ODI game, to be played almost a week before the opening game of the eight-team tournament.
ODI Squad: Charith Asalanka (capt), Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Nishan Madushka, Kusal Mendis, Kamindu Mendis, Janith Liyanage, Nuwanidu Fernando, Dunith Wellalage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Maheesh Theekshana, Jeffrey Vandersay, Chamindu Wickramasinghe, Asitha Fernando, Mohamed Shiraz, Lahiru Kumara, Eshan Malinga
