Kusal Mendis, Dickwella and Gunathilaka set to miss India series, likely to face lengthy ban

Three Sri Lanka cricketers – Kusal Mendis, Danushka Gunathilaka and Niroshan Dickwella – were suspended on Monday for breaching the bio-bubble protocols during their stay in the UK. Ahead of the three-match ODI series, they were seen in a public place in Durham and a video regarding the same went viral on social media. Post that, the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) called them back from the tour after suspension.

Sri Lanka’s Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa has also slammed the trio for their poor discipline while stating that the SLC should take strict action against them. Moreover, there has been even more scrutiny on the said players as Sri Lanka were whitewashed in the three-match T20I series.

“Opportunity & time can be invested into youngsters to represent the country, in an attempt to revive #Srilanka cricket. However, playing with a lack of intent & poor discipline should not be tolerated. @OfficialSLC must take strict action against players who violate these rules!” Namal’s tweet read.

Opportunity & time can be invested into youngsters to represent the country, in an attempt to revive #Srilanka cricket. However, playing with a lack of intent & poor discipline should not be tolerated. @OfficialSLC must take strict action against players who violate these rules!

— Namal Rajapaksa (@RajapaksaNamal) June 28, 2021

Ban likely to be around 3 months or one year

Meanwhile, it has been reported that Kusal Mendis, Danushka Gunathilaka and Niroshan Dickwella are set to miss the upcoming limited-overs series against India as well. SLC official confirmed the news while speaking to CricWire and also stated that they might be banned from international cricket for a long period.

Nothing has been made official as of now but SLC is likely to take strict action on the players. “It could be anywhere between 3 months to 1 year,” the official said. Sri Lanka will face England in the first of the three-match ODI series starting on Tuesday in Chester-le-Street and are seriously short on batting resources.

They don’t many players to chose from in the batting group which might lead to Oshada Fernando opening the innings with Kusal Perera. Pathum Nissanka is also expected to play and bat at number three. Charith Asalanka is also lined-up for his ODI debut and the team looks weakened on paper itself. The visitors will be hoping to put up a fight at least after what transpired in the T20Is.