Nidahas Trophy: Star all-rounder ruled out after sustaining a calf injury

With the Nidahas Trophy around the corner, Angelo Mathews has been ruled out. This is a big blow to Sri Lanka considering Mathews’ versatility as an all-rounder in the team ranks. The 30-year-old who was renamed the captain of Sri Lanka’s limited overs team wouldn’t feature in the tri-series comprising India and Bangladesh.

When it comes to Angelo Mathews, the frequency of injuries has been quite high. Earlier, he was forced to return home from Bangladesh owing to a hamstring injury. Ever since last year, constant injuries have forced him to sit out of important series’ against the likes of Australia, South Africa and Pakistan.

Worked tremendously hard to be fit but unfortunately injured his calf

The Sri Lankan skipper was undergoing a rehabilitation process in Colombo running against time to regain complete fitness. However, he ended up hurting his calf in the training session which has led to his ouster from the series. A source from Sri Lanka cricket conveyed that Mathews had worked hard to recover and get fit.

“Angelo has been putting in a lot of effort to make himself available for the Nidahas Trophy. He has worked tremendously hard to be fit after being given a strenuous programme to follow. Unfortunately, during one of the training sessions he ended up hurting his calf,” he was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz.

Chandimal to lead Sri Lanka in the tri-series

Dinesh Chandimal is expected to take over the captaincy proceedings in the absence of Mathews. Already the skipper in the longer format, Chandimal had a taste of success in Bangladesh. The Sri Lankans managed to win both the ODI as well as the T20I series against them.

Other players whose faith was hung in balance included Nuwan Pradeep, Kusal Perera and Dushmantha Chameera. The trio took part in the domestic games in order to prove their fitness. While Perera and Pradeep have been cleared, Chameera is expected to undergo a fitness test on Tuesday after which a final call will be taken.