The T20I series between Sri Lanka and reigning champions Team India is set to begin on Saturday, July 27, with all matches taking place in Pallekele. Sri Lanka may face a setback before the series starts, as fast bowler Binura Fernando is uncertain for the opening game due to flu, according to Sri Lankan media reports.

If Fernando is unable to recover in time, it will mark the third major blow for Sri Lanka, following the exclusion of Nuwan Thushara and Dushmantha Chameera from the series. The 29-year-old Fernando has been in excellent form recently, excelling in the Lanka Premier League where he was among the top fast bowlers, taking 13 wickets and maintaining an impressive economy rate of 6.81, while primarily bowling during powerplay and death overs.Missing out due to flu will be a big blow for the pacer as well. Binura Fernando is yet to become a regular in the Sri Lankan team owing to a spate of injuries and will be hoping that he manages to recover completely for the upcoming game. In T20Is, he has played 17 games so far and has picked up 16 wickets.

A new captain for Sri Lanka:

The upcoming T20I series against India will usher in a new era for Sri Lanka, with Charith Asalanka taking over as captain. This change follows Wanindu Hasaranga’s resignation after Sri Lanka’s disappointing performance in the T20 World Cup last month, where they failed to advance beyond the group stage.

Asalanka, who recently led the Jaffna Kings to victory in the Lanka Premier League, will aim to secure a significant win for Sri Lanka against India.

Similarly, India will also see a change in leadership for this series. With Rohit Sharma retiring from T20Is after leading India to triumph in the T20 World Cup, Suryakumar Yadav has been appointed as the new captain.